Early Literacy

Parents are children’s first and best teachers. Help your child enter kindergarten ready to read. Strong reading skills form the basis of learning in all subjects and Lakewood Public Library provides the support you need to help your child to be ready to read. We invite you to explore Lakewood Public Library and all of the paths that you and your child can take to be ready for school.

Independent Reading

Independent reading fosters the love of books and reading by providing a bonding opportunity between parent and child. The Library’s Beginner Reader book collection consists of a wide range of titles for our newest readers.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten – Help your child, age birth to five years old, enter kindergarten ready to read. Author Mem Fox, in her book Reading Magic, states “Experts tell us that children need to hear one thousand stories read aloud before they begin to read for themselves.” Three books per day for one year add up to 1,095 books!
Register for the program online or by visiting Lakewood Public Library. Registered participants receive a folder, bookmark and first reading log upon registration. Read together and write the titles of the books you read on your reading log. Bring your reading log to the Library every time you read 100 books to get a new reading log, record your progress, stamp your reading log, and build your caterpillar on the cover of your folder. Upon completion of 1,000 books children will receive a certificate of completion and a Lakewood Public Library book bag.

Digital Tools

The Library’s website provides access to several reading resources for you and your child to use in the Library or at home including TumbleBooks and TumbleMath.

TumbleBooks – Animated, talking picture books teach kids the joy of reading. TumbleBooks adds music, narration, games, puzzles, quizzes and movement to classic fiction and nonfiction titles to create a new book experience that children can read or have read to them. Search books by grade level, Lexile level or Accelerated Reader level. Explore the Common Core Portal and even create your own playlist.

TumbleMath – TumbleMath is a comprehensive collection of animated, talking math story books and nonfiction math books available in the TumbleBook format. They align with the Common Core math standards and every title includes practice quizzes. Books can be searched by concept and Common Core standard.

Day by Day Ohio
Parents and caregivers can use the Day By Day Ohio Family Literacy Calendar to support early literacy skills. With a perpetual calendar featuring songs, activities, book suggestions and videos, Day By Day Ohio helps young children get ready for school.

Virtual Story Times

Engage young children by listening to local authors read their pictures books.

  • Program Guide – Spring/Summer 2023Program Guide – Spring/Summer 2023
    Explore the Library’s upcoming programs in our Spring/Summer 2023 Program Guide.
  • Drop-In Family Weekend WondersDrop-In Family Weekend Wonders
    Your whole family will enjoy these programs full of enthusiastic stories, engaging activities, entertaining music and clever crafts.
  • Homework HelpHomework Help
    Need a little extra help with homework, or just want a cool place to work? Visit the Library to get assistance and to use the Library’s resources in a quiet place free of distractions.
  • Dear UkraineDear Ukraine
    Lakewood Public Library aims to create awareness of the unique history and cultural achievements of Ukraine through library programming for all audiences. Youth can create crafts inspired by Ukraine and listen to Ukrainian folk tales. The Library will host a number of important Ukrainian films and speakers and feature Ukrainian folk music for an adult ...
  • CreativebugCreativebug
    Creativebug offers unlimited access to thousands of free online video workshops and classes taught by design experts and artists.
  • Support for Job SeekersSupport for Job Seekers
    Ready to get started? Meet Community Development Specialist, Owen McConnell who will be available in the Lakewood Public Library to discuss employment opportunities EVERY MONDAY 9:00am-5:00pm!
  • Prepare For the Jobs of the Future With Fiero CodePrepare For the Jobs of the Future With Fiero Code
    Learn to innovate, problem-solve, set goals, and think creatively with Fiero Code.
  • Homebound Delivery ServiceHomebound Delivery Service
    Find out how homebound patrons may have Library items delivered directly to their residence.
  • Browse the Children’s Virtual Events ArchiveBrowse the Children's Virtual Events Archive
    Explore links to past events geared toward children.
  • Browse the Adult Virtual Events ArchiveBrowse the Adult Virtual Events Archive
    Explore links to past events geared toward our adult patrons.
  • Connecting for Kids ProgramsConnecting for Kids Programs
    All families, including children with and without formal diagnoses are welcome to participate in virtual educational programs for adults, virtual Music Therapy and More for children, and numerous other resources.
  • Proctoring Services AvailableProctoring Services Available
    Lakewood Public Library continues to offer proctoring services. Please complete a form for each course requiring proctoring services. Once your request is submitted, a Library staff member will contact you to schedule your proctored exam.
  • Sign Up for a Juvenile Library CardSign Up for a Juvenile Library Card
    Children ages two years to twelve years may register online for a juvenile library card on their own.
  • Storytime at Home With Your Child – Early LiteracyStorytime at Home With Your Child - Early Literacy
    TumbleBooks adds music, narration, games, puzzles, quizzes and movement to classic fiction and nonfiction titles to create a new book experience for your child.
  • Storytime at Home With Your Child – Early NumeracyStorytime at Home With Your Child - Early Numeracy
    TumbleMath is a comprehensive collection of animated, talking math story books and nonfiction math books available in the TumbleBook format.
  • Learn a New Language at HomeLearn a New Language at Home
    We offer three portals to learning foreign languages quickly and easily. Each option provides a fun, effective, and engaging experience for learners of all levels looking to build their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a foreign language.
  • Dear Ukraine—Poet in ResidenceDear Ukraine—Poet in Residence
    Katie Daley, Dear Ukraine, Poet in Residence, engages sixth, seventh and eighth grade students in Lakewood and ESOL students of all ages by leading poetry workshops during fall 2022.
  • Computers & PrintingComputers & Printing
    Public computers are available at both the Main Library and the Madison Branch for patrons who need to conduct online research, make use of office-style programs, access email, or use social media.

In-Person Programs

Tail Waggin’ Tutors – With Tail Waggin’ Tutors, children are introduced to the wonderful, magical world of books in a positive and unique way. Children who are experiencing difficulty reading or children who want to practice their reading skills experience increased confidence when they bond with a dog over a shared story. Kids can bone up on their reading skills by reading to a very special canine, certified by Therapy Dogs International to be gentle, patient and a good listener. For school-age children. Selected Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Main Library Multipurpose Room.

In addition, Ohio Ready to Read and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten provide tips for parents to help with early literacy development.

Youth