For Kids (Grades K-5)

Stay Informed

Want to stay updated, join one of our many e-newsletters.

Picture Books: monthly email with picture book recommendations for kids ages 0-8

Books for Kids & Tweens: monthly email with fiction and non-fiction titles for kids in elementary thru middle school

Youth and Teen Updates: monthly email of upcoming programs at Messenger Public Library

Interested? View all newsletters and subscribe.

Join a Reading Challenge

Join one of our many Reading Challenges and earn FREE books throughout the year.

School Year Challenges: Read all year long and keep earning books by participating in 500 Books Before Middle School. Every year, read the nominees for the Illinois Children’s Choice Awards: Monarch (K-3), Bluestem (gr. 3-5), and Caudill (gr. 4-8).

Summer Reading Challenge: This reading challenge runs June 1 – July 31. You can earn free books and coupons to local places by tracking your daily reading during the summer.

Ready to take on the challenge? Visit Beanstack or download the Beanstack Mobile App to get started.

Read • Watch • Listen

Explore our digital collection. Each collection holds 1000s of titles for all ages. Titles are automatically returned at the end of the loan period and there are no late fees.

Libby/OverDrive: Download eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, and more for all ages through eMedia Library, also known as Libby.

Hoopla: Download or stream movies, TV shows, music, eAudiobooks, eBooks, and comics on your device. Enjoy a kids’ mode, instant access, and automatic returns.

Boundless: Boundless (formerly Axis 360) provides access to popular and bestselling ebooks and eaudiobooks.

Kanopy Kids: Stream thoughtful entertainment including documentaries, rare titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema. Access includes Kanopy Kids and Great Courses.

LOTE4Kids: LOTE (Languages Other Than English) Online for Kids is an online database of digital picture books in World Languages, that helps libraries to engage multilingual families in their communities, while allowing kids to enjoy books and learn language through the magic of storytelling.

TumbleBook Library: TumbleBook Library collection has over 1100 titles and is perfect for public libraries and elementary schools, with content most appropriate for those in grades K-6. It includes animated talking picture books, chapter books, videos, non-fiction titles, graphic novels, playlists, and books in French and Spanish.

Monthly Book Recommendations: Visit our catalog to see what books we are recommending this month. The themes change each month so be sure to check back.

Featured Kids Books & Kits: See what new books and kits are at the library!

Homework Help

Looking for resources to help with homework? We can help!

Homework Help: online databases for research and homework help (Messenger Library card required)

Resources for Kids: all online resources with content for kids (Messenger Library card required)

Volunteer at Messenger

Earn service hours and give back to your community by volunteering.

Junior Library Helpers: Ages 9-11. Too young to be a Teen Volunteer but still want to help around the library? Attend training, then help with simple tasks on your own schedule (15-30 minutes, one-two times/month). See the newsletter or calendar for the next training.

Teen Volunteers: Ages 11-18. Volunteer during the summer or school year and assist staff with programs and projects. Interested? Learn more and view the application.