Youth Services
Youth Services are offered at every library location. To reach the staff at our Main/Downtown Library, please call 423-643-7730.
Our Commitment to Education & Literacy
The Chattanooga Public Library is committed to fostering education and literacy with life-changing resources for children and families throughout Chattanooga. Starting January 13, 2025, we’re supporting this mission in two big ways for you and your kids:
Fine-Free Youth Materials
All youth materials, including Board Books, Easy, Vox, Juvenile, and Young Adult titles, will no longer accrue overdue fines. Any previously accrued fines on returned youth materials are in the process of being removed from your account(s).
Youth Cards for Ages 0-5
All youth library cards are now free to children ages 0-5 who reside within Hamilton County, regardless of city residency or school enrollment. To get a card, parents/guardians can stop by any library location to apply in person. The child applicant must be present during the application process, and the parent or guardian will need to show proof of I.D.
After pre-K, kids in Hamilton County can still enjoy free library access through our HCDE Library Card program.
Youth Cards for HCDE Students
Through a partnership with the Hamilton County Department of Education, all students currently enrolled in a Hamilton County public school can receive a free, full access library card.
- Full access library cards are issued through their public school library
- Cards are good for a year and automatically renew each year during school registration
- If you are a virtual student or currently do not have a school librarian, please email HCDEcards@chattanooga.gov for instructions on how to get a student card.
Programming
Ages 0 – 5
All library locations offer early literacy and learning programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Baby Bounce, Toddler Time, and Preschool Storytime are some of our most popular programs.
Click here to visit our events calendar and see our upcoming programs and events.
Grades K – 12
All library locations offer a wide variety of K-12 programs that encourage education, community and empowerment.
Programs include STEAM activities and topics like art, music, theater, cultures, reading, cooking and “adulting”.
Click here to visit our events calendar and see our upcoming programs and events.
Subscribe to our Early Literacy Newsletter
Stay informed about all things related to you and your little ones ages 0-5.
Staff Picks
Every summer, we release our yearly picks for all reading levels. Chosen by local expert librarians, these titles are great reads and are highly regarded in the book community, receiving many awards, excellent reviews and popular appeal.
We hope that the yearly lists will help you pick the best book for yourself and your child, grades K-12. All of the books on the Lists are available at your local library, and your local librarian can suggest additional titles.
Make. Play. Read. Learn.
Make. Play. Read. Learn. – aka MPRL – is the Library’s summer reading program!
Every summer, we offer fun challenges through Beanstack that reward you for reading.
Want to learn more? Click here!
Read & Ride with CARTA
Now year-round!
K-12 students (ages 5-18) can RIDE CARTA FOR FREE by signing up for the Read & Ride Program. Each student who signs up gets a Read & Ride pass good for free bus rides throughout Chattanooga. Plus, passes for children ages 5-11 covers one adult guardian rider!
Here’s How:
- Create an account or log in to your existing account at chattlibrary.beanstack.org
- Choose the Read & Ride Challenge that fits your age range or your reader’s age range.
- Come to any CPL branch to pick up your Read & Ride CARTA bus pass!
The Noise Closet
The Noise Closet is a rock instrument library for ages 10 – 17 with guitars, drum kits, keyboards, and amps you can check out for up to 1 month from the 2nd Floor of the Downtown Library.
Thanks to Chattanooga Girls Rock! and support from The Lyndhurst Foundation and UnFoundation.
Click here to see what’s in the collection and learn how you can check it out!
Teen Advisory Board
The Teen Advisory Board is a unique opportunity for youth between the ages of 12-18. Board members will gain leadership experience by providing input and helping to create new programs.
The 2024-2025 session is now open. Click here to fill out the application!
Field Trips
Want to bring your class or group to the library? Fill out the Field Trips and Tours request form, and tell us more about your group.
Click here to fill out our request form!
