Dover Public Library | 73 Locust Street, Dover, NH 03820 | (603) 516-6052

Dover Public Library

Children's Room

April Newsletter

Library Hours

Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 8:30pm

Friday - Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Sunday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Outdoor Pick-Up Service

Tuesdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm and 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Saturdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm


CLOSED Sunday, April 9

Upcoming Events

Peeps Show Contest


Build a diorama using Peeps of any color or species in a standard size shoe box, no larger than 16” x 16” please. Create your diorama based on a scene from a book. The first eight entries will receive a free plush Peep chick!


Children ages 4-8 are invited to enter the Kids Division, and ages 9-12 may enter in the Youth Division. Peep Artists 13-19 years old may enter the Teen Division, while those 20 or older are invited to compete in the Adult Division. On the back of your shoe box, please include your name, address, phone number, and title of your “Peeps Show”. You can pick up an entry form at the Library. All Peeps displays may be dropped off at the Dover Public Library until Sunday, April 2. The winner of each division will receive a $25 Target gift card, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. Prizes will be awarded on Monday afternoon, April 3. Peeps should be picked up by 5pm on Saturday, April 8. All Peeps not picked up by the deadline will be discarded or eaten!

Beaded Poetry


Join us for an afternoon of creating beaded poems on Wednesday, April 5 at 3:30pm in the Library's Activity Room to celebrate our 21st Annual Poetry Contest! Use the word beads to create a poem that you can wear as a bracelet or necklace or use as a keychain. All supplies will be provided. This event is open to participants of all ages.

Series of the Month Book Club


Are you a fan of the Good Dog series by Cam Higgins? If you are in 2nd or 3rd grade and have read one or more books in the Good Dog series come meet with other fans to talk about these popular books on Tuesday, April 18 at 3:30pm in the Library's Activity Room (first graders who have read a book from the Good Dog series are welcome to join us as well). We will also make a craft related to the series. This a monthly program that highlights a different series each month. 


Please pre-register for this program.

Family Game Night


Join us on Wednesday, April 19 from 6-8pm in the Lecture Hall to play a fun selection of card & board games, and meet other board game enthusiasts in the community! You’re also welcome to bring your own games. All ages welcome!

STEM Saturday: Shockwave Robotics


Join us on Saturday, April 22 at 2pm as the Dover Shockwave Robotics Team will be in the Lecture Hall to introduce us to two of their robots. They will tell us about their team and the process that was used to design and build the robot. They will also demonstrate how the robot works! 

Spring STEM Event


On Monday, April 24 at 3pm, children ages three and up are invited to participate in this Spring-inspired STEM event with their caregivers in the Library's Lecture Hall. No registration required.

Fairy and Gnome Houses


On Tuesday, April 25 at 2pm, families are invited to join us on the library lawn to create fairy and gnome houses.

LEGO Club


Join us on Wednesday, April 26 at 11am in the Activity Room for LEGO Club! Kids ages 5 and up can work on a specific "challenge-of-the-day" or build their own creations.

Drop Everything and Read


On Wednesday, April 26 at 2pm, join us in the library's Lecture Hall for an hour of reading to celebrate "Drop Everything and Read" (or D.E.A.R.), a national month-long celebration of reading designed to remind folks of all ages to make reading a priority activity in their lives. Bring the book that you are currently reading or chose a new book from the library's collection, then tuck in for an hour of reading! This program is open to all ages.

Crafternoon: Dog Man Craft


On Thursday, April 27 at 3pm, kids in grades 1 and up are invited to drop in to make and take a craft based on the popular book series Dog Man by Dav Pilkey.

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Come and Play!


On Friday, April 28 at 2pm, families with kids of all ages are invited to come play with us on the library lawn. Toys, games, and snacks will be provided.

Poetry Contest


The Dover Public Library is pleased to announce the 21st Annual Dover Public Library Poetry contest for seacoast area residents ages 5 and up. Prizes will be awarded in seven different categories: Grades K-2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7 & 8, 9 & 10, 11 &12, and adults ages 18 & older. Poems will be judged on originality, style, and creativity. Deadline for entry is April 19th. Students may pick up information about the contest at the Dover Public Library or on our website at library.dover.nh.gov. For more information about the contest please contact Emily Ainaire at e.ainaire@dover.nh.gov or (603) 516-6082.

Weekly Events

April 3 - 14

STEM Storytime

On Monday, April 3 and 10 from 10:00-10:45am children ages 3-5 are invited to join us for STEM Storytime. Each week we will focus on a different STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) topic using books, songs and activities to support the theme.


Registration is required.

Mother Goose on the Loose

On Tuesday, April 4 and 11 from 10-10:30am caregivers and babies through 2-year-olds are invited to this 30 minute program with nursery rhymes, songs, puppets, other props and short stories. A joyful and fun gathering that promotes early literacy skills. No registration required.

Family Storytime

On Wednesday, April 5 and 12 at 10am, children of all ages with caregivers are invited to attend this program which includes stories, fingerplays, songs, and puppets. No registration required.

Arts & Crafts Storytime

On Thursday, April 6 and 13 at 10am, children ages 3-6 are invited to explore arts and crafts. Books, songs, rhymes, and an art activity will all be part of the fun.


Registration is required.

Shake Your Rattle & Roll, Baby!

On Friday, April 7 and 14 from 10:00-10:30am babies through 2 year-olds with a caregiver are invited to sing, dance, and rock out with instruments! No registration required.

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