Youth Services

WTBBL's Youth Services Department provides special programming and events for patrons age 0-18. Whether in-person at the library, on the road around the state of WA, or remotely via mail or virtual setting, we aim to provide inclusive and engaging activities for the children, tweens, and teens who use the service. Read on for more information on current offerings and upcoming events! 

News and Events

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Color Our World! Join us for 2025 Summer Reading Events

Don't forget to return your completed Reading Log by September 5th to be eligible for one of 3 Grand Prizes!

New Library Policy - Parental Acknowledgment for Minors

Due to a recent policy change at The National Library Service, we are updating our records for all patrons under the age of 18 and we are asking that Legal Guardians complete a brief Parental Acknowledgment form.

All currently registered patrons age 0-17 will receive an email and/or print copy of the new Parental Acknowledgment Form from The National Library Service. WTBBL will be making phone calls as well to reach out and answer any questions that folks may have. 

The Parental Acknowledgment Form MUST be completed, signed by a legal guardian, and returned to WTBBL. All youth patrons who do not have this form on file will be automatically suspended from WTBBL services, including BARD, later this year and will remain suspended until the completed form is returned. 

Find a fillable PDF of the form here: Parental Acknowledgment Form 

Electronic signatures will be accepted. Please email signed form to [email protected] or [email protected] 

Youth Services Newsletter

Subscribe to DOTS: WTBBL Youth Services eNewsletter

Programs

Multisensory Storytime

Fridays from 11:00am-12:00pm​
Join us for 30 minutes of stories, songs, and dance followed by 30 minutes of playtime in the WTBBL Conference Room.

Virtual Multisensory Storytime

Watch on WTBBL's YouTube Channel. Caregivers of patrons aged 0-5 can request a Storytime Kit to be mailed directly to their house if interested! Please email [email protected] for more information.

What’s in the Storytime Kit?

• Egg shakers
• Scarves
• Finger Puppets
• List of action rhymes and songs

Early Literacy Kits

Check out the Early Literacy Kits from WTBBL! Ten kits are available with different themes promoting early literacy tips and strategies. All kits include two print/braille board books, accessible games or toys, and a list of action rhymes and songs to be used by a young child and caregiver. Call or email the library to get a check out a kit today!

Kit Themes:

• Farm
• Food
• Music
• Opposites
• Taking Care of Myself
• Things That Go
• Wild Animals
• Backyard Bugs
• Community
• Helpers
• Counting and Shapes

Outside the Library Programming

Let WTBBL come to you! The Youth Services Librarian is available to visit schools and education centers to present about WTBBL services or related topics to both individual patrons and groups of students, parents, and school staff. Contact the Youth Services Librarian at [email protected] for more information.

Visit the Library

The Orrico Children’s Room

Open to all ages but geared toward the younger crowd, our Orrico Children’s Room offers a bright and sunny area for children to explore, play, and, of course, read! This welcoming space features a variety of musical instruments, tactile toys, and both Print/Braille and large-print board books. Every item in the Children’s Room was put in place with multisensory exploration in mind and intentionally supports children’s needs for learning and physical development. Visit us today! The Orrico Children’s Room is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:45pm.

Tour WTBBL

Visit our unique location in downtown Seattle and learn how we provide library service to the entire state! Additional programming is available. Tours are available for individuals and school groups with advance request. For more information or to request a tour, visit Outreach and Tours.

For Schools and Teachers

Services for Schools & Districts

WTBBL services are available free for schools and school districts to support eligible students. Registered school and school district accounts can receive books on digital audio cartridge and digital talking book players, braille, large print, print/braille, board books, and have access to downloadable materials via BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download). Materials and equipment are also available to patrons, and can be found at Equipment & Materials.

Collection

While we do not have textbooks in our collection, WTBBL offers thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles in audio, braille, and large print. Our youth collection spans board books for children under three, print/braille & large print picture books, books with illustrations suitable for CVI, beginner readers, elementary & middle school chapter books, and young adult & teen materials in audio, braille, and large print.

Accessible Textbooks are available through the Ogden Resource Center at WSSB, through Learning Ally, or through BookShare, which is free to students.

Classroom & School Visits

Let WTBBL come to you! The Youth Services Librarian is available to visit schools and education centers to present on WTBBL’s services or related educational topics to individual patrons and groups of students, parents, and/or school staff. Other educational topics include multisensory storytimes, presentations for accessible research resources for students, book talks and book suggestions in alternative formats for classroom assignments, and more. Contact the library for more information.

Outside WTBBL Resources for Early Learning

Jessica Chandler
Associate Director of Outreach, Birth to Five
Statewide Coordinator of Early Supports for Infants/ Toddlers (B/LV)
Washington State School for the Blind
Phone: 513-649-1773
Email: [email protected]

DSB Explorers with Sara Logston
Sara Logston M.A.
Birth to 13 Specialist
Department of Services for the Blind
Phone: 564-444-7830
Email: [email protected]

Childcare Aware Washington State
Guidance for parents in childcare and preschool, child development, child health and safety, and early learning.

Love, Talk, Play Campaign
Washington state campaign to teach parents of babies and toddlers, how to include love, talk, and play their everyday routine.

Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines
Guidelines established by the WA Department of Early Learning, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Thrive by Five Washington for early learning and development.

Early Intervention Support for Infants & Toddlers
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families early intervention services designed to enable children birth to 3 with developmental delays or disabilities to be active and successful during the early childhood years and in the future in a variety of settings.

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
National resource center for parents and families about infant and toddler development, behaviors, education, and health.

Information about Visual Impairments & Reading Disabilities

WTBBL is a proud member of the Blind Youth Consortium, a group of organizations working together behind the scenes for the good of children with visual impairments.

Washington Sensory Disabilities Services: Blind/Visually Impaired; DeafBlind Service
Service to support parents and educators throughout Washington State through trainings, classes, at-home or at-school visits and more.

Washington State Department of Services for the Blind: Children & Families
State department that provides services and assistance for children who are blind from birth through adulthood. Services include summer programs and recreation activities, as well as transition, independent living, and employment preparation.

National Federation of the Blind: National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
Advocacy group for parents who have blind children. Includes resources, programs & events, and opinion articles about specialty topics.

FamilyConnect: For parents of children with visual impairments
Support and resources for parents of blind children. Get tips, ideas, and personal stories on raising a child with low vision from APH FamilyConnect ®.

Literacy & Braille Literacy Resources

Paths to Literacy
A joint project between Perkins School for the Blind and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to provide literacy resources for parents and educators.  Includes learning strategies and creative literacy games/tools.

National Federation of the Blind: Braille Literacy
In-depth look at the benefits of braille literacy, as well as NFB-sponsored braille literacy programs and initiatives. Includes braille literacy articles, programming & contests, and resources.

In search of a good book? Check out our monthly Recommended Reading!