With the thrill of summer a glimmer in the past and the anticipation of beginning a new school year slightly dimmed, the Sequim Library stands ready to provide a series of fall programs to stoke the exuberance of youth in our community.

Pals from Gentle Paws Therapy Dog Club return to the library on the second Wednesday of each month from 3-4 p.m. Is the recommended daily reading time creating undue stress at home? Settle your young reader in with a furry friend and see the difference: Pets provide a non-judgmental audience and encourage children to read with confidence. Gentle Paws also will be visiting the Port Angeles Library on the first Thursday of the month, from 3-4 p.m. September-May.

Weekly story times also resume at the Sequim Library in September. Toddler story time for ages 18-months to 3 years is offered every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and provides age-appropriate stories, songs, finger plays and crafts.

Preschool story time for ages 4-5 is Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m.

Baby story time, a new program for infants between zero and 18 months, will take place every Thursday at 11 a.m.; this story time is designed to support early literacy skills by introducing parents and caregivers to new and treasured action rhymes, music and book selections available at the library.

Baby story time also creates a welcoming environment for parents and caregivers to meet, exchange tips and share experiences with one another.

The month of October introduces additional programs for families and children beginning with Family Flicks on Oct. 4. This monthly offering occurs at 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month, October-May and presents free family movies, popcorn and fun. October’s Family Flicks features a screening of the classic musical “Mary Poppins.”

Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew of the band Presidents of the United States of America) will have everyone, big and small, wiggling and jiggling to high-energy, lively tunes during a concert presented by the library in collaboration with the Sequim Boys & Girls Club at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 23. To allow room for neighbors and friends, this event will take place at the Boys & Girls Club at 400 W. Fir St., Sequim. Later in the day, Caspar also will perform at the Port Angeles Library at 6:30 p.m.

Do you have a budding artist in the family? The Kids Create Art program returns to the library at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month, October-May and will feature local artists sharing a variety of art techniques. This program is recommended for youths ages 7-12 and requires pre-registration. For young adults, a special Teen Photography program for will be offered on Nov. 3, 10 and 17. Sonja Younger will share photography techniques with teens in three workshops emphasizing how to see artistically using any camera.

Stop in and check out the many exciting offerings for youth at the Sequim Library this fall. For more information about these and other upcoming programs, including how to register, visit www.nols.org, call 683-1161 or e-mail youth@nols.org. These and other programs are presented with the generous support of the Friends of Sequim Library.

Patti Swingle is the Youth Services Librarian at the Sequim Library.