Get an E-Access Library Card online
- Read, listen, and watch animated picture books.
- Read, listen and watch animated picture books in Spanish.
- Read e-picture books.
- Read e-picture books in Spanish.
- Watch educational children’s shows and movies.
- It’s free! There are no fees or fines for digital items because they cannot be late, damaged, or lost.
No library card necessary
- Sing songs, say rhymes, and play with words. (Rhyme video playlist)
- Read the lyrics to the songs and rhymes in the videos.
- Read the lyrics to the songs and rhymes in the Spanish videos.
- Share 1,000 books with your children before they start kindergarten.
- Join us for virtual storytimes with your babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Get a General Library Card at the library
- Play with early learning toys you can borrow from the library. You must pick up and return the toys at the library location specified in the online catalog entry for the toys you want to borrow.
- Look, listen, and follow along with picture book and CD sets you can pick up at and return to the library of your choice.
- Borrow picture books, board games for preschoolers, children’s music CDs, and more materials you can pick up at and return to the library of your choice.
Here are some lists to get you started (in English).
Here are some lists in Spanish to get started. - It’s free! Children’s books do not have late fines. If you damage or lose an item, you will be charged a replacement fee. There is a small fine for returning teen and adult books late.
Get library resources for you (parents, child care providers, and preschool teachers)
Photo by Megan Zabel Holmes for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.
Access resources provided by some of the library’s early learning community partners
- Use the Free Preschool guide to find publicly funded preschool in Washington County
- Get connected to health and social services at 211info.
- Talk with a local Family Resource Coordinator.
- Learn about services for children birth to age 5 who are experiencing developmental disabilities or delays at Northwest Regional Education Service District.
- Look at the Parenting Together events calendar and go to local family-friendly events, parenting workshops, school readiness workshops, and more.
- Get training and technical assistance for your career as a child care provider or preschool teacher at Child Care Resource & Referral.
- Early Learning Washington County (ELWC) is a partnership between the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Washington County Health and Human Services. Visit this site for details on Preschool Promise and other resources to help raise school-ready, healthy kids.
You can help the children in your life get ready for school!
Children learn vocabulary words, letter names, letter sounds, communication skills, background knowledge, and how books and stories work by doing the following activities with you. Learn more about early learning and the reading process by visiting Reading Rockets and ¡Colorín colorado!
Talk:
- Tell family stories
- Describe what you’re doing and hearing
- Name colors, shapes, and objects you see
Sing:
- Sing along with the radio
- Clap along with songs you know
- Use words that rhyme
Play:
- Build with blocks, boxes, or LEGO®
- Pretend to do different jobs
- Act out favorite storytimes
Share books:
- Talk about the pictures
- Ask questions about the story
- Read books again and again
Draw and color:
- Trace shapes, letters, and numbers
- Cut, glue, and tape paper
- Color with crayons or markers
Practice:
Being ready for school is about more than what your child knows. Here are some things to help you child get ready to be part of a class:
- Make routines
- Take turns
- Talk about feelings
- Be kind
- Read and play together everyday
