Welcoming a new baby is a major life event which impacts individuals and families in different ways. With over 60 locations, Queens Public Library is committed to being there for you and your little one every step of the way! Our free offerings, designed for expecting parents and new families, provide access to valuable programs, services and resources, including health workshops, dedicated support groups, and engaging educational programs for both caregivers and their little ones. QPL programs can provide ASL interpretive services with two weeks’ notice.
The on-going programs listed below are held multiple times throughout each year. Please visit our calendar to view upcoming dates.
Ongoing Programs
Baby Basics: A virtual 3-part workshop series which provides education and support to pregnant people and new parents of babies under 2 months old. Baby Basics presents information on ways to have a healthy pregnancy, how to prepare for your baby's arrival, and how to care for a newborn once your baby has arrived. We host sessions 4 times a year in February, May, August, and November.
New Mamas Virtual Support Group: A virtual weekly support group for moms and parents who have given birth to babies who are under 12 months. This group meets year-round on Fridays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, with a break during the summer and winter seasons. Led by a postpartum doula, the group is designed to cover different topics at each session, such as breastfeeding, sleeping, playing, milestones etc. This support group is a valuable space for receiving resources, guidance, and support.
Learn more or register for Baby Basics or New Mamas Virtual Support Group by email at catherine.olivo@queenslibrary.org.
Food For Life Nutrition Series: A virtual 4-part workshop series which provides nutrition education to expecting and new families. Attend this series to learn about:
Restorative Yoga Flow: A virtual class for everyone who wants to focus on melting the stress of the week away. If you are feeling overwhelmed, yoga has been proven to help, so it makes good sense for parents to incorporate it into their routines. Designed to be a space where you can take a moment to slow down and learn how to integrate your mind and body.
Learn more or register for Food For Life or Restorative Yoga Flow by email: communityhealth@queenslibrary.org.
Librarian-Led Storytimes
With over 60 locations across Queens, we offer storytimes featuring books, songs, fingerplays, and more activities carefully, selected by our team of knowledgeable librarians, to delight young children at various stages of their development.
These programs are designed to introduce parents and caregivers to the five early literacy practices: playing, reading, singing, talking, writing. Attendees will learn how to replicate them at home. We offer storytimes in English as well as bilingual storytimes in English and Spanish, Mandarin, Bengali, Polish, Russian, or Kreyol. Contact your local library or visit our calendar to find a storytime that is right for your child. Weekly storyhours include storytimes for babies, toddlers and young children.
Visit our calendar to browse storytimes across Queens.
Toddler Learning Centers (TLCs)
Designed to serve the needs of toddlers and their caregivers, TLC is hosted in-person at multiple QPL locations across the borough twice a year in the spring and fall.
Over the course of 5 weeks, this dual-learning program combines social and emotional learning experiences for toddlers with introductions to child specialists for caregivers. Toddlers will play with a variety of toys while their caretakers will get the chance to chat with a professional in the fields of parenting and caregiving, early literacy, nutrition, speech development, and gross motor movement.
Learn more on our Toddler Learning Center page.
