Preschool Resources

1000BBK

1000 Books before Kindergarten is a fun, simple way to help your child get ahead before school begins. Studies estimate as many as 1 in 5 children have difficulty learning to read and reading proficiency is an early indicator of academic success. 

With sign up, receive a bag including early literacy tips, easy activities to do at home, book recommendations, and some goodies! At each 100-book milestone, children may add a fish to our murals at the Waynesville or Canton branch to show what they've accomplished. Upon completion of the program, each child will receive a free book and other great prizes.

Visit any library branch to sign up!

Click on the links below to download a digital copy of all registration materials:

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Storytimes

Storytimes focus on rhymes, songs, and simple stories to promote early literacy. Ideal for children 0 to 6 years old. For more storytime dates and locations, click here. 

Little Ones Learn

Little Ones Learn is a monthly meeting for parents and caregivers of toddlers 6 months to 3 years. Families will enjoy a room filled with toys, to encourage creative play, followed by a short circle time. Upon completion, each child will receive a free book.

123 Play with Me

123 Play with Me is a five-week session for parents and caregivers of toddlers 6 months to 3 years. Families will interact in a room filled with toys to encourage creative play and art exploration. For one hour, participants explore learning stations followed by a short circle time of singing songs and reciting rhymes. Upon completion, each child will receive a free book.

Elementary Resources

Storytime Grab 'N Go Collections

Take storytime to go with a bag that includes 3-4 themed books, a toy, and a fun craft! Themes include Colors, Dinosaurs, Eric Carle, Bedtime, and more. Bags check out from the Waynesville and Canton branches for three weeks, one bag per family, and only to Haywood County cardholders.

Wonderbooks

Read along to your favorite books with Wonderbooks - print books with a ready-to-play audiobook inside. Perfect for readers of all ages and levels! Book types include level readers, early chapter books, nonfiction, bilingual, and more. 

Penworthy STEAM to Go!

Take STEAM activities on the go with bags that include everything you need. Topics include Everyday Science, Exploring the Outdoors, Construction and Building, and Robotics and Coding. Bags check out from the Waynesville branch. 

EcoExplore Backpacks

Explore the outdoors and participate in citizen science! Backpacks include a trail camera, insect viewing box, birdcall, and more. EcoExplore was developed by the North Carolina Arboretum. 

Middle & High School Resources

Ferguson's Career Guidance Center

Explore careers, plan your education, prepare for your career, and find a career. The Career Guidance Center provides professional advice on featured careers, detailed career breakdowns, information on internships and job postings, and more. 

LearningExpress

Prepare for college and your future job! LearningExpress provides practice college entrance test and resources, basic computer skill tutorials, classroom and homework help, and more.

Online Resources

Just for Kids Access Video

Just for Kids Access Video provides children—and parents—a thoroughly kid-safe, advertisement-free, media platform to freely explore and enjoy with over 9000 titles.

Kanopy Kids

Kanopy Kids is a video-streaming platform dedicated just for kids.

Kids Speak

Kids Speak is a language learning resource where you can learn more than 100 languages on your computer or mobile device, including English, Spanish, French, and Japanese.

NC Kids Digital Library

Like the NC Digital Library, but for kids! Access thousands of materials suitable for ages Pre-K through 4th grade.

Bright by Text

Bright by Text provides free tips, information, and resources to help all parents and caregivers give every child a bright beginning. The Haywood County Public Library offers Bright by Text as part of our partnership with Family Place Libraries. This service is free (data and messaging rates may apply). 

Text FamilyPlace to 274448 to begin. You may stop at any time.

Contact Information

Waynesville Branch: Lisa Hartzell, MLIS. Phone: 828-356-2511. Email: lisa.hartzell@haywoodcountync.gov.

Canton Branch: Ashlyn Godleski, MLIS. Phone: 828-356-2567. Email: ashlyn.godleski@haywoodcountync.gov