Children's Services

Kids stuck at home with nothing to do? Don't worry, there are plenty of online learning opportunities to keep their minds in shape. Check out Brainfuse HelpNow through the library's website for educational games and study tools.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten 

1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a national program designed to promote reading to babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers.  Reading at home during a child’s earliest years establishes strong early literacy skills.  The goal is to have as many local families as possible read 1000 books to their little ones before they start kindergarten.

How It Works

  • Sign up online (click the link below) for the program.  After you receive a welcome email, visit the Library to pick up your starter packet. Forms may also be downloaded on the website. 
  • Read with your child regularly.
  • On your reading log, fill in a circle (or better yet, have your young participant fill it in) for each book read with your child.
  • Visit the Library when you have completed your first set of reading logs (1-500 books).
  • Visit the Library when you have completed your final set of reading logs (500-1,000 books).
  • Keep reading!

If you have any questions please call 505-891-5013 or email 1000BooksRRPL@gmail.com.

Useful Documents

Reading Lists and Recommendations

Reading Lists

Read to Me!
I Can Read!
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
Sixth Grade
Elementary Nonfiction

Graphic Novels

Graphic Novels Gr K- Gr 2
Graphic Novels Gr 3- Gr 5
Graphic Novels Gr 6- Gr 8

Every Child Ready to Read

Fun with Letters
Fun with Words
Fun Writing
Getting Ready to Read
Letter Activity Handout
Milestones Alphabet
Preschool Milestones
Stages in Vocabulary

Award Winners

Caldecott Medal  - this site details all the books that have won the Caldecott Medal. This award is given yearly to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Newbery Medal - this site details all the books that have won the Newbery Medal. This award is given yearly to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

School

AR Book Finder - this site allows searching for books by their accelerated reading (AR) level.
Lexile - this site allows searching for books by their Lexile level.
DRA - this site explains the DRA Reading Level Assessment and how to find books at the right level.

Grab & Go Book Bags

Need help browsing the library shelves for great children’s books? Tell us about what you’re looking for and our librarians will personally select up to 6 books for you to check out.

This service is designed around three unique age groups. Click one of the links below to get to the right form, then let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll start searching. Once you have been notified that your items are ready for pickup, come to the library you selected any time during open hours to check out your bag.

If you have any questions about this service, call us at (505) 891-5013.

Ages 0-6
Ages 6-12
Ages 13-19

¿Extraña visitar la biblioteca? ¡Estamos aquí para ayudar! Cuéntenos lo que está buscando y nuestros bibliotecarios seleccionán hasta 6 libros especialmente para usted. 

Este servicio está diseñado para tres grupos de edades. Haga clic en uno de los enlaces de abajo para escoger el grupo de edad y después llene la forma diciéndonos lo que está buscando. Cuando reciba el aviso que sus libros están listos para recoger, podrá venir a la biblioteca durante las horas de servicio.

Si tiene preguntas sobre este servicio llámenos (505) 891-5013.

Edades 0-6
Edades 6-12
Edades 13-19

Parent, Teacher, and STEAM Resources

Storytime Kits

Thanks to a generous grant from Target, the Loma Colorado Main Library has 25 storytime kits for preschool teachers, parents, and caregivers of young children to check out. Each kit contains four books, a music CD, a puppet or a puzzle, and a list of nursery rhymes and songs to go along with the theme. 

NASA@ My Library

Rio Rancho Public Libraries is proud to announce that is is one of 75 public libraries selected to be part of the NASA@ My Library initiative to engage public audiences nationwide in informal and lifelong learning with the excitement of NASA exploration and discovery. As a NASA@ My Library partner, the library will offer free programs and activities for various age groups that explore NASA science and technology. NASA@ My Library is lead by the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL)  at the Space Science Institute (SSI) in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, the Pacific Science Center, Cornerstones of Science, and the Education Development Center. Collaborators include International Observe the Moon Night team members based at the Planetary Science Institute, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, Wyle Labs, and NASA’s Ames Research Center.