We love books and kids!  At the North Manchester Public Library we are thrilled to have kids of all ages visit us and spend time enjoying the many activities the Children’s Department has to offer.  We’re a kid friendly environment and nothing makes us happier than to hear them laughing, talking, playing, exploring, and learning at the library.

In addition to our regularly scheduled programs, there are lots of other ways to enjoy, explore, and learn at the library.  Check it out!

PLAYROOM
Playroom Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30am-7:30pm; Friday-Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm
Our large playroom has plenty of space for kids in addition to train sets, building blocks, toy cars, a rocking horse, a play house, a kitchen set, puzzles, and more.  It’s the perfect spot to keep your crew entertained all year-round, but especially when the weather is keeping you from enjoying the great outdoors!

BALL PIT
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30am-7:30pm; Friday-Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm
Located in the NMPL Playroom, the Ball Put is a huge hit with Library visitors! Especialneeds.com states: "Ball pits are great places for children to have fun, learn to relax and are well known for their therapeutic effects when added to a special needs multi-sensory environment. Ball pits have been awakening people who are developmentally delayed, neurologically involved or living with birth disorders such as autism. They are also known to have the opposite effect on those who require relaxation. The balls massage the entire body, provide buoyant support, deep-pressure sensation and encourage relaxation. The visual, auditory and tactile sensory stimuli and the proprioceptive feedback build confidence and strengthen sensory motor skills."

COMPUTER LAB
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30am-7:30pm; Friday-Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm
Sign up to use a computer!  Our 6 laptops and 1 desktop come pre-loaded with kid friendly games and have internet access for everything from research projects to online gaming.  Our Early Literacy Station is ideal for small children who are just learning to navigate computers.  Parents will love the many fun games that introduce children to important math, reading, writing, music, science, and art concepts.

DIGITAL TOUCH PLAY TABLE
Walk into the North Manchester Public Library Children's Department and you'll discover something a little different... a 32" digital touch PLAY table! This one-of-a-kind touch table features multi-player games for all age demographics. It is the perfect collaborative and interactive experience, allowing multiple people to play games together.

Test your trivia skills with Quiz Touch, your coordination with Balloons Touch, your reflexes with Air Hockey, or your vocabulary with Words Touch - and we're just getting started!  With multiple games to choose from, there's plenty to keep you entertained (and learning!) with each visit to the library.

​The purchase of this table was made possible through an LSTA grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Indiana State Library.

CASTLE NOOK
Are you an ogre hiding from your fiery best friend?  A princess ruling the magic kingdom? Let your imagination soar when you head to our castle nook with your friends.  In the mood for something a little quieter? Grab a book and stretch out on the castle floor.  You’re a Reading Ruler!​

READING NOOKS
There are lots of cozy corners for enjoying a good story at the Library.
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Bean bag/Leaf nook: Snuggle up in a pile of bean bags on a shaggy rug as the sun shines through the windows.
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Magazine rack bean bags: Found the latest issue of your favorite magazine? Plop right down on a bright red bean bag and get caught up on sports, cooking, technology, or travel.
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Storytime Rug/Window Seat: ​Grab a group of friends, a pile of books, and spread out on our Storytime Rug or window seat.

OMA'S CREATION STATION
There’s always a stash of paper, crayons, stencils, and coloring books on hand for art lovers.  Want to get extra creative?  Our friendly librarians are always happy to loan you stickers, tape, glue sticks, or scissors to complete your one-of-a-kind-projects!​