Welcome, Young Readers!
The library is your place to explore, create, and grow. Whether you’re just learning your ABCs or tackling homework, we’ve got something for you.
Little Learners
Ages 0–6
Storytimes, music, movement, and play to build early literacy skills.
Kids & Teens
Ages 7–18
After-school hangouts, creative projects, gaming, and more.
Rockstar Readers
Read 1,000 books before kindergarten and earn free books along the way!
It’s easier than you think — just one book a night for three years gets you there. Storytime books count too!
Get Started
Track Your Progress
Questions? Contact Kelly Dykwell at 269-781-7821 ext. 2400 or dykwellk@yourmdl.org
Quick Links
For Parents & Caregivers
Early literacy isn’t about teaching reading — it’s about building the foundation. The American Library Association encourages 5 simple daily practices:
- Talk — Narrate your day, ask questions
- Sing — Nursery rhymes, silly songs, anything!
- Read — Even just 10 minutes a day makes a difference
- Write — Scribbling, drawing, and cutting all build skills
- Play — Imaginative play develops language and thinking
Helpful resources: Common Sense Media for age-appropriate content reviews, Zero to Three for early development tips.