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Established in 1969, Dakota County Library has 10 branches spanning the southeast metro area of the Twin Cities. The libraries offer plenty of family-friendly programming both in person and online. We list our top 10 below. Library cards are FREE to residents of Dakota County and are easy to obtain. With your card, you can access the library’s digital collections and physical materials. Register online here and have your card mailed to your address or bring some sort of photo ID and proof of address to any branch to get your card. To obtain a card for your child who may not have a photo ID or proof of address, just bring your own ID and proof of address. Note that all the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) Libraries have reciprocal agreements. You can borrow materials from any public library in the Twin Cities area with your home library card and return materials to your own library. This library system is part of the MELSA library system, so it offers the smARTpass program, where library cardholders can checkout tickets to shows and museums. You can read a more detailed review of the program at the link above. The various branches offer story times for babies and preschoolers with their favorite adult. Programs include age-appropriate stories, songs, and activities. While visiting, parents can pick up tips for fostering early literacy skills. Storytimes can be found on the libraries calendar of events. While gatherings are discouraged, find Online Storytimes at the library’s Facebook page. All branches keep a LUCKYU book collection for both adults and kids. The collection includes high-demand books by popular authors. If its on the shelf with the LUCKYU label, you can check it out without waiting in line and keep it it for one week — no renewals or holds. If you are thinking about cutting the cord on pay-TV, a Dakota County library card can be another tool in the growing options for free entertainment. With Hoopla, card-holding patrons can instantly choose from thousands of titles to stream television shows, movies, music, e-books, comics, and audiobooks on their own device. You can also download something to watch when you are not online. You can also borrow DVDs and Blue-Rays. Check out enough books for your whole club. The library has titles for kids, teens and adults. Besides 10 copies of the book, you’ll get discussion questions to get your conversations started, author information and hints on how to start or improve a book club. Kits can be kept for up to six weeks. Learn more about Book Group Kits here. Learn a new skill, try a new workout, explore nature or STEM subjects, learn about a historical period or even check out a kit to interview your grandparents. Borrow a kit for three weeks and then borrow another one! Another early learning tool. These hardcover books come with an audio player that narrates the books while kids follow along. The library has 100s of Vox book titles to explore. Borrow the internet. Wi-Fi hotspots and Chromebooks can be borrowed for up to six weeks. The seed library is available to all Dakota County residents whether or not you have a library card. It is located at the Farmington Branch. Get some seeds to grown in your garden and if you are able, save and share some of your own seeds. Dakota County has its own YouTube page with a ton of fun materials. Not only does the library share online activities, but you can find activities from Arts in teh Park, STEM Learning, virtual tours of family-friendly places and more. Bookmark these three library playlists for when you need something fun to do at home with your kids: Find all of Dakota County’s videos here.Get a Dakota County Library Card
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10 Family-Friendly Offerings at Dakota County Libraries:
1. smARTpass from Dakota County Library
2. Storytimes at Dakota County Library
3. Dakota County Library’s LUCKYU Program
4. Stream On Demand or Download Television Shows
5. Book Group Kits
6. 2Go! Kits for Exploring New Interests
7. Vox Books – Narrates Children’s Books
8. WiFi Hotpsots & Chromebooks
9. Check out Seeds for Your Garden
10. Online Research and Learning Tools Available with Your Dakota County Library Card
Dakota County Library YouTube Channel – Indoor Fun Anytime
Dakota County Library Branches:
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