Children & Young People

Orbit Newsletter

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Holiday Activities

Due to the current health orders in place by the NSW government the our Penrith City Library holiday programs, including the Shakespeare Time Traveller's Competition are unable to go ahead at this time. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to bring these events to you in an altered and safe capacity in the future.

Follow the library on Facebook or sign up to the Orbit children's e-newsletter for news and updates.

Story Time

Find out more about Story Time programs resuming face to face at our library branches here.

Story Time LIVE - postponed

Our library children's team welcomes 2-5 year olds, their parents and carers to Story Time LIVE every week during term time to sing, read and rhyme together at Penrith and St Mary's library branches.  Places are limited so book in to catch the fun every week at a branch near you. Bookings open every Friday for Story Time LIVE sessions in the following week. Book now or call us for more information on Ph: 4732 7891

WHO: 2–5 year-olds and their adult carer.
WHEN: Every week during term time only.
St Marys: Tuesdays st 10.30-11.15am
Penrith: Wednesdays at 10.30-11.15am

TICKETS: One booking per family. Limited numbers. Bookings essential.
BOOK NOW

Story Time Online

Join the children's team screen-to-screen for Story Time Online every Monday from 11-11.30am during term time. We’ll be logging into Zoom to read, sing and rhyme together in a fun, fast and friendly session. Great to tune into from home and for childcare centres to join in the fun straight from your centre.
WHO: 2-5 year olds and their adult carer
WHEN: Every Monday during term time only. 11.00-11.30am
WHERE: Online via Zoom
TICKETS: FREE - One booking per family. Bookings essential to receive Zoom links.

BOOK NOW

If you can’t make it to the online zoom sessions watch our short Story Time videos here

Young People

BOOKAHOLICS Teen Book Club

Bookaholics Book Club is for 12-16 year olds who like to connect about reading, writing and books we love! Teens choose a new read every month then meet up to talk books, meet other bookaholics and make new friends. Find out more about what we are reading this month here and register your free place for our next meet up.
WHO: 12-16 year olds
WHEN: Last Tuesday of the month, 4.15pm-5.30pm.
WHERE: Attend in person at Penrith City Library - 601 High Street, Penrith OR online via Zoom (online links provided on registration).
BOOKINGS: Free - Limited numbers. Bookings essential to receive zoom links.

Book here

For more information about Bookaholics call the Children's Programs Librarian on 4732 7891 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Baby Time

Baby Time Online

Join our children's team screen-to-screen for Baby Time Online. Every Monday from 10-10.30am we'll be logging into Zoom to rhyme, sing and play with the little ones 0-2 years together during term time.
WHO: 0-2 years old and an adult carer
WHEN: Every Monday, 10.00-10.30am
WHERE: Online via Zoom
TICKETS: FREE - Limited numbers. Bookings essential

BOOK NOW

Baby Time LIVE - postponed

Our library children's team welcomes 0-2 year olds, their parents and carers to Baby Time LIVE every week during term time to sing, rhyme and read together at Penrith and St Mary's library branches. Book your place to attend each week at a branch near you via eventbrite. Bookings open every Wednesday for Baby Time LIVE sessions for the following week. Book now or call for more information on Ph: 02 4732 7891
WHO: 0-2 year-olds and their adult carer.
WHEN: Every week during term time only.
St Marys: Mondays at 10.00-10.45 am
Penrith: Mondays at 10.30-11.15 am
TICKETS: One booking per family. Limited numbers. Bookings essential.

BOOK NOW

 

Toy Library 

The Toy Library will be open for borrowing sessions only. For the health and safety of staff and participants, we will not be offering Stay and Play sessions.

 All toys will be cleaned thoroughly before and after use.

Quick visits are encouraged. Please select your toys and check out to play with them at home. Check our online catalogue for the selection of toys available. 

Our toy library includes sturdy toys for under 8 yos and a range of family board games. There are baby toys, construction sets, puzzles, vehicles, food, animal and house play sets.Toy Library does not run during school holidays.

Find a session at a branch near you:

Penrith: Wednesday at 10am-12pm and Saturdays at 10am-12pm

St Marys: Tuesdays at 10am-12pm and Saturdays at 10am-12pm

St Clair: Thursdays at 10am-12pm and Saturdays at 10am-12pm

Toy Library Sessions will be monitored and supervised by Library staff

Toy library conditions of use:

• If you bring a child to a toy library session be sure to supervise and accompany them at all times.
• Toys in the cupboards are for browsing and borrowing. 
• Care for the toys and return them in a clean condition.
• Return damaged toys and parts as toys are repaired wherever possible.
• A replacement cost may be charged for lost toys when negligence results in damaged toys.
• The library is not liable for damage/injury resulting from borrowed toys.

Toy Library Outreach Service

We specialise in providing toys for children with disabilities and high support needs. Featuring switch-adapted, sensory and educational toys, children will delight in making them function through lighting up, playing sounds and movement. Through hands-on play, they can build valuable problem-solving, coordination, reasoning, numeracy, literacy and fine motor skills.

Inclusion support is available by an appointment either in person or online, with opportunities for extended loan periods. Referrals are required to access this service.

For details on the referral process for the Toy Library Outreach Service This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 0418 664 879. 

Fox Tales

‘Fox Tales’ was developed by the DIG Creative Maker Space Program, a creative and professional development program for Greater Western Sydney digital artists/designers within their first 5 years of professional practice. Penrith Library sponsored the 2nd DiG project which was completed in late 2018, to encourage teens to visit our library and use our collections: visit penrith.city/foxtales

Studiosity

Studiosity is an online service providing live homework and study help for years 3-12.

Go to Studiosity and log on from home with your Penrith City Library card. Membership is free for all students living in NSW. Studiosity provides one-to-one academic support in English, Maths, Science, assignment research, and study skills.

Tutors are online Sunday to Friday between 3pm and 10pm.

View the Library Catalogue

Ziptales

Ziptales offers you 500+ interactive stories with voiceovers, animations, games, quizzes and more to help make reading FUN! This is available for FREE within NSW for all children, parents and schools, either at your library, school or at home. All you need is a library card.

View Ziptales here.