Kids resources

Darebin Libraries support early literacy development through a range of educational and recreational programs and resources for children of all ages.

Digital library

Kids can listen, read, watch and learn at home or on the go with our Digital Library. Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week! Visit the Digital kids resources section of our Digital Library to find fun, interactive online resources to help children of all ages develop literacy skills, learn a new language or explore a range of subjects through educational games.

Pre-school programs

We are passionate about supporting pre-schoolers' early literacy development through our fun and educational programs and resources.

We offer a range of events, including our well-loved regular events Storytime and Rhyme Time. 

We also host regular bilingual Storytimes in Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Greek. Keep an eye on our Eventbrite for other special events. 

Darebin Libraries are proud supporters of the 1000 Books Before School initiative, contact us to find out more and get started!

School-aged children

For school-aged children we host a range of creative and fun activities throughout the year! Our School Holiday Program and special events program includes craft workshops, theatre, storytelling, cultural performances, author talks and more. Bookings are essential for all events!

Keep an eye on our News and events page and sign up for our eNewsletter to make sure you stay in the loop.

Homework help

Darebin Libraries members have exclusive access to our online resources including Britannica Library great for research!

If your child needs help with their homework, or if they're having trouble finding what they need on the internet we can help! Come into the library and our friendly library staff can help find the book you need. Or, if the information is quite involved you can always Ask A Librarian.

Children's collections

Our libraries each have a range of children's books, graphic novels, DVDs, CDs and magazines. We have children's books available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Vietnamese and Somali at all of our branches. We also have a new Spanish collection at Northcote and Preston! We also offer an extensive variety of parenting resources.

Branch Out

Our children’s librarians know all the best books for kids, and have put together some awesome reading recommendations to help kids BRANCH OUT!

Explore new horizons with themed booklists include New Worlds, Amazing and True, Strong Girls, Graphic Adventures, and more.

Climb the Branch Out tree with your kids and line up some great reading ideas, or complete a Branch Out form and hand it in at your closest library to get a personalised reading list!

Children's Services

Our Council provides a range of children and families' services available to help children and their families, parents, grandparents and carers, including:

• Child Care
• Children with Additional Needs
• Immunisations
• Kindergarten / Preschool
• Maternal and Child Health
• Outside School Hours Care
• Toy Library Plus.

1000 Books before school

Research tells us that the most reliable predictor of school success is being read to at home during early childhood.

This program is designed to help you make reading a regular part of your routine with your child, and support you to reach the wonderful milestone of reading 1000 books before they start school. Chat to one of our librarians or download or print your reading record to get started.

How does it work?

All you need to do is download/print your Reading record (or chat to one of our librarians to get started) and begin reading with your child. Mark off each time you read a book with your child and you are on your way!

It’s as simple as that! You just keep reading and working your way through the Reading record as you go.

Handy Information

The program is for kids aged 0 to 5 years.

You'll need a library membership to participate. The membership can be in your name, or your child's.

Your Reading record is a fillable PDF. "Fillable" means it can be completed on a tablet, phone or computer by clicking the numbered circles, which fills each spot with a star!

You can also print out each page and stamp or mark it yourself as you go.

Which books can I include on the Reading Record?

Library books, of course! Online books count too so why not try Story Box Library or TumbleBooks Library and add anything you and your child read together!

Your favourites! Young children often love re-reading books. You can read those well-loved books over and over and count each reading as an entry on your Reading Record.

Happy Reading!