Frequently Asked Questions

Each Ramsey County Library has one or more Children's Librarians on staff, and we would love to help! Does your child need book ideas for a report? Are you wondering how to help your 4-year-old prepare for kindergarten? Or maybe you just need some ideas for your child who devours books like candy. Whatever your need, we can help!

Watch a story on BookFlix, opens a new window, a movie on Kanopy Kids, opens a new window, download a book using Libby, by OverDrive, opens a new window, or check out our collection of storytime videos for kids, opens a new window. You can sort the videos by category and follow along with your favorite librarians as they teach you to sing songs, share flannel stories and more!

Ramsey County Library is committed to early literacy. The most up-to-date information on programming for all kids is found on our event calendar.

Family Storytime (generally geared to ages 2 to 5) is a fun, dynamic program that includes books, songs, fingerplays, storytelling and movement activities to get kids fired up about reading while providing a strong foundation in early literacy skills. 

Baby & Me storytime (generally geared towards infants 6 to 23 months) is a one-on-one storytime where babies sit on a caregiver’s lap for a short storytime followed by playtime. Baby and Me is intended to introduce the joys of reading, singing, and playing together to caregivers and their babies.

Hope you can join us!

We are very proud to offer a variety of things like Kanopy streaming service, eBooks, eAudiobooks, graphic novels, board books, beginning readers, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks on CD...and of course a robust collection of fiction and nonfiction! We also have special collections like Storybags, which are two books and a toy packaged together, STEM Kits, which provide hands-on exploration of themes like magnets and buoyancy, and VOX Books, where you can listen to a story while following along with the printed text.

Still have questions? Ask a librarian!

Absolutely! Download a book using Libby, by OverDrive, opens a new window, where you will find a diverse collection of picture books, juvenile fiction, teen fiction, and non-fiction too. Ask a librarian for more info!

Ramsey County Library offers an excellent web-based tutoring site called HelpNow. Not only can students in grades K-12 use their computer to instant message with a live instructor, they can also upload papers for editing help, take sample tests in several subject areas, or get help with language learning. We hope your student finds it useful!

Additionally, the library offers you access to lots of databases and other powerful research tools. Whether your student is doing a presentation on a famous person or writing a pro-con essay, you’ll find an abundance of online resources for students in grades K-12.

Each library offers a special section dedicated to children's books and media as well as places for families to read and play together. Each children’s area offers a variety of puzzles, puppets and other toys intended to encourage creative play between kids and their caregivers. Several of our locations also have outdoor spaces to enjoy.

The library in Roseville also has a Children's Reading Garden that is always open for outdoor exploration. It is accessible only through the children's room, and families are encouraged to use this space as an extension of the library. You can even come have a picnic outdoors! Come explore and enjoy the kids’ spaces at Ramsey County Library! Get up-to-date information on building hours and closures, opens a new window.

Of course! Ramsey County Library invites all children to enjoy our facilities. That said, you may want to view outings with children to the library as great opportunities to model appropriate library behavior. While the children’s section of the library is generally a bit noisier than sections intended for adult use, “inside” voices are still encouraged!

Sure do! In addition to the Sensory Friendly Comfort Room at RCL - Shoreview, Ramsey County Libraries provides wellness rooms to use for short-term personal needs. 

We would love to show you around our libraries! Tours of the buildings are available by contacting the children’s librarian at each specific branch. Tours include a detailed look at the children’s area and its collections and features, and a behind the scenes visit to the book return and check in area. Let us know if you have a specific focus or need. We will be happy to work with you to customize your tour.

Please allow at least two weeks planning time for any requested tour.