Infants and Children
Early childhood starts at birth. Parents and guardians can kick start early literacy once a child is born by reading to them. The library has a great selection of children's books. Board Books are especially great for the early reader since they are sturdy and easier to clean. If you have a child age 2-8 years, be sure to take them to the library's AWE Early Literacy Station that offers over 70 educational software programs, is touch screen, has a small mouse for small hands, children's headphones, and a keyboard designed for children. The programs teach science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

Early Childhood Literacy Outreach Program 
The Hutto Public Library strives to meet the needs of everyone in the community. This especially includes individuals who are unable to visit the library. One of the newest pilot project services the library has implemented is the Early Childhood Literacy Outreach Program. This project aims to help children with families that may not be able to visit the library during hours of operation.

In May 2015, Tara Chappell from the Library Advisory Board, worked with the library on a grant application for The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation. Lois Lenski was an author and illustrator born in 1893. She created over one hundred children's books and was a 1946 Newbery medallist for her book, Strawberry Girl. Her foundation aims to advance literacy and foster a love of reading among underserved and at-risk children and youth. The grant would help purchase children's books for a bookmobile program. Ms. Chappell completed and submitted the application and waited. 

The Early Childhood Literacy Outreach Program started on July 24, 2015 when the library was granted a 2000 Toyota 4 Runner Limited. Formerly, it was a City Pool vehicle that was the Interim Animal Control vehicle. This vehicle would be the beginning and the greatest opportunity for the library to provide outreach services and programs around the city and Hutto ISD area. 

A few days later on July 29th the Library contacted Half Price Books Store located in Round Rock and asked if they had any books to donate for their new Early Childhood Literacy Outreach Program. The library was thrilled when they received a donation of 17 boxes full of children and youth books. They were then able to use the new "Bookmobile" to transport all the books back to the library. 
The library next purchased 6 colorful crates. Inside of each crate were 55 books (15 Toddler Board Books, 10 Early Reader Books, 20 Story Books, and 10 Oversize Big Story Time Books). The crates have since been distributed among 7 preschools and daycares in Hutto. Each month the crates are refilled and rotated among the 6 preschools and daycares.
Lois Lenski Covey Foundation - http://www.loislenskicovey.org/
On October 6, 2015, the Library received mail from the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation. Enclosed was a letter informing the Library it was the recipient of the Foundation's 2015 Library Grant Program. The Board of Directors enclosed a grant check for $3,000, for purchasing exclusively children's books for the library's bookmobile program. Now, with this grant, even more possibilities became available for providing bookmobile services to other children in the community. 
First Book -https://www.firstbook.org/
First Book is a nonprofit that provides new books and educational resources- for free and at a low cost -to schools and programs serving children in need, from birth to age 18. The Hutto Public Library registered with First Book for the Bookmobile Outreach Program in January 2016 and has been able to obtain books for the program at a discount of 94% off retail price.  

Bookmobile Outreach Locations and Schedule
  • Hutto Community Resource Center Food Pantry/Feed 5000 Breakfast - 2nd Saturday 9-11 AM
  •  http://www.huttoresourcecenter.org 
  • http://www.huttolutheranchurch.org

Participating Hutto Preschools and Daycares

The following preschools and daycares are a part of the pilot project. They are listed in alphabetical order. Beside each is a note on whether they receive a crate and/or story time service.

  • Creative Kids Preschool (Story Time)
  • Greenhouse Learning Center (Bookmobile Crate and Story Time)
  • Hippo Learning Station (Bookmobile Crate and Story Time)
  • Hutto Head Start (Bookmobile Crate and Story Time)
  • LifePointe Christian Academy (Bookmobile Crate and Story Time)
  • The Little Hippo (Bookmobile Crate and Story Time)
  • Mothers Choice Child Development (Bookmobile Crate and Story Time)

Preschool Story Time

The library invites parents and guardians to bring their children to this fun and educational story time program that incorporates Spanish words and phrases followed by a craft project. Story time has many benefits including helping children build early literacy skills as well as a stronger bond between parent/guardian when they actively read together. Visit the Calendar of Events for dates and times.
Storytime

Lapsit Story  Time
Lapsit Storytime is for parents/caregivers and children ages 0-18 months on Wednesdays at 10:30 am.  Come join us for stories, songs, fingerplays, playtime and creating new friendships. This program is held in sessions periodically throughout the year. For program times, dates and locations, call your library or view the library calendar.

Toddler Time
Toddler Time is for infants and toddlers to play while giving parents the opportunity to engage with other parents in the community. This also gives infants and toddlers the opportunity to learn to play with others as well as develop social, intellectual, and language skills.

Homeschool Kidz Basic Spanish
Home school parents and guardians are invited to bring their children from Kindergarten through fifth grade to the library to participate in this educational program provided by an Adult Volunteer Spanish teacher.  This class will meet in the library every Monday morning from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM for Beginners and 11:30 AM-12:30 PM for Advanced Beginning.   Registration  for the Beginning Class is required as space is limited. Advanced Beginning Class is for students who have completed the Beginning class. Please visit the City Calendar and sign-up on the registration date of the event or contact the library at 512-759-4008 to register.   (NOTE: Childcare is not provided.)  *The 2019-2020 Homeschool Kidz Advanced Beginning  Basic Spanish Class is full.   

Participating students 2019 - 2020  Session Schedule:
Classes begin:  September 9, 2019
Nov. 11: Veterans Day - No Class
Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Break - No Class
Dec. 23-Jan. 6: Winter Break - No Class
Jan. 20:  Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday –No Class
Feb. 17:  Presidents’ Day Holiday – No Class
March 16: Spring Break - No Class
Classes end: May 11

lego maniaLEGOMania, Board Games, and Coloring
Bring the kids to play with hundreds of LEGOs, family board games, and coloring books for ALL ages!




Online Resources for Kids
Parents and guardians are invited to share the following websites with their children. 
Hutto Elementary Schools - https://www.hipponation.org/Domain/4
  • Cottonwood Creek Elementary School  
  • Howard Norman Elementary School  
  • Hutto Elementary School  
  • Nadine Johnson Elementary School  
  • Ray Elementary School  
  • Veteran's Hill Elementary