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TFPL News & Events - March 2026Don't forget, the Library is always open online! |
It's a busy month here at the Twin Falls Public Library! As always, throughout the month we have events for every age group with storytimes, STEM classes, tech classes, movies, book clubs and more! This month we’re continuing our Civics in Six series with “Separation of Powers” on March 11, we’re hosting an after-hours Hamilton sing-along on March 20 (popcorn included), and we’ll wrap things up with an Open Mic Night: Short Stories & Poetry on March 26 (come share, or just come listen).  You can also stop by during Spring Break (March 23–28) for a drop-in scavenger hunt, and we'll have the Master Gardeners here on March 24th at 4:30 PM for a Kid's Gardening Class! Make sure to check the full online calendar for more information on all of our upcoming programs & events. |
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 Easy Early Literacy Skills to Practice at the Library and at Home Early literacy skills are the first steps your child takes toward reading on their own, and they’re something we’re very passionate about at the Twin Falls Public Library! In our programs, we practice the Every Child Ready to Read five literacy practices. Here are ways you can practice them with your child today:
- Sing - Singing slows down language and helps your child learn how to sound out a word. There are so many opportunities for you to sing with your child! Sing in the car, sing in the bath, make up a diaper-changing song and sing it! We incorporate songs into storytime, so bringing your child to one of our programs and remembering the songs to sing later is a great way to celebrate this early literacy skill.
- Talk - Chat with your child about everything! The more language your child hears, the better they will be at using language of their own. One easy way to do this is to describe what you’re seeing or what you’re doing. “We’re stopped at a red stop sign on our way to grandma’s house. What do you think we’ll eat when we get there?” You can also use chatting to teach other valuable skills, like sequencing. “We just turned left at the park. Which way will we turn next to get to my work?”
- Read - Reading to your child is one of the most important things you can ever do for them, and you can start the day they’re born (or before)! While you’re reading, point to the text so they can build print literacy, or ask your child to guess what the upcoming rhyming word will be. This builds your child’s ability to predict, which is a valuable reading comprehension skill. If you need help finding books your child will be interested in, a librarian is always happy to help.
- Write - Scribbling and coloring are important precursors to writing as they help your child build fine motor skills. Practice coloring, drawing shapes, and writing letters (we recommend focusing with lowercase to begin with) but don’t forget to practice writing numbers, too! One of our favorite ways to encourage writing is to get out a baking sheet and put just enough sand in it to cover the bottom, then ask the child to write in it using their finger. This gives the activity an additional sensory boost and fosters a deeper understanding of the shapes they’re making.
- Play - “Play is the work of the child.” - Maria Montessori. When your child plays, they’re building cognitive skills, fine and gross motor skills, social-emotional skills, and more! They don’t need any fancy toys; we’re fans of open-ended toys like blocks, wood train sets, and a tub of water with measuring cups in it. Looking for a way to play with your child? Put an apron on them, get them a cheap notebook (they sell real server notepads at kitchen supply stores) and play restaurant! This doesn’t have to be complicated, in fact, the fewer bells and whistles the better.
Understanding what’s best for your child’s early development can be intimidating and confusing, which is why these five simple tips are so helpful. As long as you’re singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing with your child, you’re helping your child build a lifelong love of literacy. For a social-emotional bonus for both you and your little one, find a group to sing, talk, read, write, and play with! |
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We're continuing our Civics in Six program series this month with a panel discussion on the branches of the federal government and the separation of powers! On March 11th at 5:30 PM, join local high school government teachers at the Twin Falls Public Library as they discuss the three branches of the federal government and the delineation of powers that create checks and balances within the federal government. Attend this and our other upcoming Civics in Six programs for a chance to win a prize!  In keeping with all things America as we approach the county's 250th birthday, we'll be hosting an after-hours sing-along screening of Hamilton on March 20th at 6:30 pm! Dress in your 1776 best while you enjoy some free popcorn and try to keep up with Lafayette as you sing-along with the smash broadway hit from Lin Manuel-Miranda about the birth of our country through eyes of the 10 dollar founding father. Costumes encouraged! Visit us on March 26th at 6:30 PM for a night of short stories & poetry. Come and share your own writings or your favorite pieces by other authors, or just come to listen! Sign-up is first come, first to read. 5 minute time limit per reading (multiple readings are allowed, depending on time). Check with a librarian for more information. |
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Is Large Print too small? The Idaho Commission for Libraries administers the Idaho Talking Book Service (TBS). TBS is free statewide to Idahoans who are unable to read standard print due to low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability. Audiobook titles are available via an easy-to-use player and special cartridges, or titles can be downloaded to a computer or device. There are more than 100,000 titles in the collection in a wide variety of genres. For more information please visit their website or call (208) 334-2150. |
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 Now that the CIA World Factbook is no longer, where can you get up-to-date travel information? Check out A to Z World Travel! With 202 World City Guides, this database offers information about points of interest, security, transportation, food and recipes, culture, language, and more. |
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 Get a copy of our newest monthly guide to great reading, BOOKLIST READER! Here’s the link to the latest e-issue, or grab a physical copy next time you’re in the Library. |
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 Do you have a special skill you think you can teach to others? A special talent or trick to share? Help kick off the Twin Falls Public Library’s Summer Reading Program - Plant A Seed, Read on June 5th, at our How-To Fair! We’re looking for people like you to demonstrate a short skill, activity, or “life hack” in about 5–15 minutes. Anything you can teach - a quick sewing stitch, how to tie a tie, perform a simple card trick, patch a hole in the wall, show some basic self-defense, change a tire, or anything else, we’d love to have you share your know-how. Sign-Up Here! |
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 If you've been in our Youth Services Department lately, you've seen we're undergoing a bit of construction! There is an additional ADA-compliant restroom currently being built in the Youth Services department, and another will be installed on the main level soon. Plus, keep an eye out in April as we begin to replace our carpet! This is a large project, and the Library will be closed the week of April 20th as we move books and shelves. Some collections may be temporarily unavailable the week before and after as we clear the way for the installation. |
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Twin Falls Public Library201 4th Ave E Twin Falls, Idaho 83301 208-733-2964
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