We are currently closed. Open again on Sunday at 1:00 PM. View our full hours
We are currently closed. Open again on Sunday at 1:00 PM. View our full hours
Welcome to the Children’s Department!
We’re a place for curious minds, big imaginations, and joyful discovery. From early literacy experiences for our youngest visitors to engaging programs for elementary students, we support learning at every age and stage—from birth through grade six. Whether your child is a brand-new book lover or a seasoned reader, you’ll find enriching books, hands-on activities, and dynamic programs designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning. Visit us to read, play, learn, and grow together—there’s always something new to discover at the library!
Check out our upcoming events at Welles Turner Library! From book clubs and storytimes to workshops and community programs, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out — join us!
A Family Reading Challenge for families with children in preschool – 6th grade
June 1 to December 31, 2026
Celebrate our nation’s 250th by reading a book which explores important moments in the past and present of our state and the United States. Choose one of the titles from the list below to read together. Participating families will be recognized with a star on the wall and will be entered into a drawing in December.
A good book can raise your spirits, especially one you’ve written yourself. Only one more week remains until our 2nd annual Spooky Glastonbury Writing Contest comes to a wrap. With a long weekend and another possible soggy Sunday ahead, why not take advantage of the dark and stormy night and write us a petrifying page-turner? Everyone who sends us a short story by Friday, October 16 will get their story published in a book, Spooky Glastonbury Writing Contest 2026, that is sure to become the most spine-chilling volume to ever haunt our bookshelves.
Need some inspiration? Check out our local author shelf on the second floor, where Spooky Glastonbury Volume 1 resides. This volume features 67 pieces of frightful fiction from Glastonbury residents who certainly know how to put the boo in book!
Be sure to visit our website for submission guidelines and contest details. After all, Halloween may only come once a year, but missing out on this spooky contest could haunt you for life!
This event is generously sponsored by The Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library.
#wellesturnerlibrary #glastonburyct #spookywritingcontest #spookyglastonbury
The clock is ticking… tick, tock, tick, tock. There’s only ONE week left to submit your spooky story for your chance to win one of the prizes below.
We’re awarding prizes in THREE age groups:
🎃 Kids ages 6-11: A $25 gift card to Pinwheels and a $10 gift card to Dunkin Donuts.
🎃 Teens ages 12-18: A $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble and a $10 gift card to Starbucks.
🎃 Adults 19+: A $25 gift card to River Bend Bookshop and a $10 gift card to Daybreak Coffee Roasters.
Submit your story to us by next Friday, October 16 to be considered in the contest.
Be sure to visit our website for submission guidelines and contest details.
This event is generously sponsored by The Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library.
#wellesturnerlibrary #glastonburyct #spookywritingcontest #spookyglastonbury
Finn’s fight to save the light might not be such a bright idea if it means standing up to spiders strong enough to spin glass webs and fireflies fierce enough to start fires. And did his friends forget about the mist that can steal memories?
#wellesturnerlibrary #glastonburyct #bookrecommendation
👻 Our annual Spooky Story Stroll, for families with preschool-elementary age children, returns on October 21st from 4-6PM.
💻 Register now online through Parks & Recreation on September 23 at 8AM.
🎃 Follow us on a “Spooky Story Stroll” at the Riverfront Community Center. Along the way, enjoy stops for a Halloween story, treats and maybe even a few tricks!
🦸Costumes are encouraged.
⏱️ Groups will depart for the Story Stroll every 10 minutes. Join us before or after your time block to enjoy snacks, music, dancing and crafts!
💀 Parents must accompany children for this event.
🐈⬛ Presented by Welles-Turner Memorial Library and Glastonbury Parks & Recreation
Our Spooky Glastonbury Writing Contest is open for submissions now through October 16. Send us your most chilling tales…if you dare.
Submission guidelines, FAQs, and more information about the contest can be found on the library’s website, www.wtmlib.info.
This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of Welles-Turner Memorial Library.
#wellesturnerlibrary #glastonburyct #writingcontest #spookyglastonbury
Why are the hermit crabs extra crabby this morning? Nemo and Dory are determined to find out why, even if they have to keep swimming through invisible trash to solve this mystery. Seas the day and dive into this new nonfiction graphic novel series to learn more about the ocean and how to help protect its inhabitants (even the jellyfish!) from colorless coral, pollution problems, and climate challenges.
#wellesturnerlibrary #glastonburyct #bookrecommendation
👀 Hey, Teens! If you’re looking for Miss Meg you might just find her at the Children’s desk.
😊 Welcome back to the Children’s department, Meg!
Welles-Turner Memorial Library is thrilled to announce our 2nd annual Spooky Glastonbury Writing Contest!
From September 14 - October 16, Glastonbury residents ages six and up are invited to submit an original spooky tale using the guidelines below.
Contest guidelines and submission instructions can be found on the library’s website, www.wtmlib.info.
Each story will be published in a Spooky Glastonbury volume, which will be added to our library collection. All participants who submit a story within the guidelines will receive a commemorative item.
Prizes will be awarded to one winner from each age group (6-11, 12-18, and 19+). Winning stories will also be featured in a Best of Spooky CT volume.
We can’t wait to read your frightful stories! Do your best to scare the librarians!
This event is generously sponsored by The Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library.
#wellesturnerlibrary #glastonburyct #spookyglastonbury #writingcontest
🐝Get ready to explore the amazing world of pollinators with our new Pollinator and Native Plant Explorer Kit, generously donated by the Glastonbury Pollinator Pathway!
🌼The kit includes books about bees, butterflies, and native plants, plus a laminated Pollinator & Native Plant Explorer Guide, a UV flashlight, and a magnifying glass for up-close discovery.
🦋Check it out, head outside, and see what you can discover right here in our own backyard!
🍂Storytime registration opens for Glastonbury residents on Tuesday, September 8th at 9am!
🍃Choose the age-appropriate 6-week session for your child and submit a registration form on-line through our website or in person at the Children’s desk.
Resident registration forms will be collected from September 8th through September 15th and will be processed randomly on September 16th.
After September 16th, spaces will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Nonresidents may register on September 17th, if space remains.
ON-LINE: Visit www.wtmlib.info
IN PERSON: Visit the Children’s Desk during library hours.
Can’t get enough of Summerween? Beware! Our Spooky Glastonbury Writing Contest returns this fall for adults, kids, and teens. Details coming soon. #wellesturnerlibrary #glastonburyct #spookyglastonbury #spookyct
😎 Drop in to meet our new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Hurwitz, on Thursday, July 23rd from 6-8PM during this “Cool Night, School Night” event! WTML will welcome students with popsicles and has pulled together a special display of Dr. Hurwitz’s favorite K-12 books.
📚 Dr. Hurwitz will be looking for students to tell him about the best book they’ve read so far this summer.
Explore Our Space.
Browse our wide selection of books, then stay to play at the train table, cook up something fun in the play kitchen, build with LEGO® bricks and imagine in the playhouse. We also offer puzzles, games, and rotating activities like scavenger hunts, coloring pages, and take-home crafts. For growing digital learners, we have two Early Digital Literacy Stations and three internet access computers available for family use. We hope you will visit us often!
