All locations will be closed on Friday, February 7 for Staff Development Day. To contact Vital Statistics for birth and death certificates, please call (214) 670-3248.
Children and Teens
Visit one of our children-only libraries
Books, events, computers and play for ages 0 to 17 on the second floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library downtown.
The first of its kind, Bookmarks is a children’s-only library located in NorthPark Center. Visitors can check out books, play on the early-learning computers, or take part in one of the daily programs for children. Programs are made possible by Atmos Energy.
Field Trips
Field Trips to the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
Bus Scholarship to the Discovery Wall
Girl Scout Visits to Dallas Public Library
The J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in downtown Dallas can help your troop earn three different badges. And while you’re there, your troop can also explore the 8-story building and discover its many treasures to earn the Dallas History Museum Explorers patch. History Museum Explorers Patch [PDF - GS_History_explorer.pdf]
For Brownies
My Family Tree badge
Come to the 8th floor and learn about genealogy! For this badge, you’ll make a family tree, learn about family history, share family stories, and make your own family crest! You will also learn some skills to continue family history research on your own.
For Juniors
Detective badge
Test your observation skills, learn about fingerprinting, and put the clues together while earning this badge.
Scribe badge
Choose the topics that most interest your troop: poetry, short sto- ries, journaling, news reporting and opinion pieces. This workshop can last one or two hours; a two hour workshop will encompass a little of everything.
Programs for Children & Teens
Dallas Public Library's annual summer reading and learning challenge.
Express Yourself! Youth Poetry Competition and Cover Art Contest
Submit your original poem or artwork. You could be honored at an award ceremony and in a published book.
Prom is expensive, especially the clothes. Get your outfit from the library.
Storytime and Early Literacy Resources
Dallas Public Library programs and initiatives for ages 0 to 5.
Toddler Storytimes
Storytime is the perfect way to have fun while building reading skills as you sing songs, dance around, and listen to stories. Geared towards toddlers ages 18 months to three years, storytime is an early literacy workshop that boosts pre-literacy, while being engaging and interactive for active young children.
To find a storytime in your neighborhood, check our online calendar.
Reading Ready Play Spaces
Play is a brain builder for children ages 0-5, and that’s why Dallas Public Library is making play a part of all library locations. Stop into the children’s area of a library near you to have fun with play kitchens, building blocks, baby-friendly toys, and more at our Reading Ready Play Spaces made possible thanks to a grant from The David M. Munson and Mona Campbell Munson Fund of The Dallas Foundation and Friends of the Dallas Public Library.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Make reading a routine with your child and get rewarded. 1,000 books may sound like a lot, but with just a book a day you will be preparing your child to succeed in kindergarten and, for every 100 books read, you’ll also get a prize.
Whether your child is three months or three years, there’s no better time to start. Sign up for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and start tracking your reading online or through the Beanstack app.
Prefer to track on paper? Download the reading log and bring it into your library branch when you’re ready to claim your prize.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library.
Once Upon a Month
If you live in Dallas County and have a child 0-5 years old, you can get free books mailed to your house every month. Ferst Readers, in partnership with the Boone Family Foundation and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, offers families a new book each month through Once Upon a Month.
To sign up your children, fill out the form here.
Vooks
Vooks brings an ever-expanding collection of animated storybooks to any smart phone or tablet. With a child-friendly approach that emphasizes critical elements of literacy development, Vooks helps inspire a loving of reading and supports parents in putting their young children on a path to reading success.
To claim your free year of Vooks, sign up here. Sponsored by Atmos Energy.
Miss Humblebees Academy
Gale Presents: Miss Humblebee’s Academy is an award-winning online resource that gives kids ages 3–6 access to hundreds of guided lessons using videos, music, eBooks, hands-on activities, and more. It includes off-line lessons too. View weekly progress and performance reports to track improvement toward kindergarten readiness. It’s serious learning fun! Library card required.
ABC Mouse Available at all Dallas Public Library locations.
Books Beginning at Birth
Books Beginning at Birth is a statewide program that provides families with children from birth to age 4 with access to free books and resources to support the development of early literacy skills.
Apply to receive books every six months at home! Access free digital books anytime! No login or sign up required. Reading together is fun and easy with Books Beginning at Birth! Sign-up here.
Books Beginning at Birth is presented by the Texas Association for Education of Young Children and BookSpring.
