NY Public LibraryA great way to beat the scorching summer heat is to visit your local library branch. Almost each neighborhood library runs some solid programs for children and for those toddlers and kids not yet in nursery school, mid-morning story hour is a great, free activity. Below are several library branches that offer free Story Time and Kids Movies so be sure to visit and
pick up a calendar. Times are subject to change. The New York Public Library system has a great site with event schedules for all branches.
Upper East Side Libraries with Children's Story Time Programs for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers
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Yorkville Library - (212) 744-5824 - 222 East 79th Street (between Second & Third Aves.), New York, NY 10021-1295
This Upper East Side library on 79th hosts weekly Preschool Story Hour, (very popular) Reading to Cody (where kids can read out loud to a therapy dog), and Children's Films (For Ages 3-5 where they can watch their favorite Picture Books come alive on screen)
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96th Street Library - (212) 289-0908 - 112 East 96th Street (near Lexington Ave.), New York, NY 10128-2597
This Uptown branch has weekly Films for Families that are interesting for kids and for parents or caregivers.
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Webster Library - 1465 York Avenue (near E. 78th St.), New York, NY 10021-8895 (212) 288-5049
The Webster Library holds Toddler Story Time (this highly popular program has multiple start times and has moms and nannies lining up around the block so get there early to get in line, Reading Aloud (for Kids 3-5)
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Upper West Side Libraries with Children's Story Time Programs for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers
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St. Agnes Library - (212) 621-0619 - 444 Amsterdam Avenue (near @. 81st St.), New York, NY 10024-5506
This Upper West Side location holds Toddler Playtime, a small playgroup where toddlers could play with age appropriate toys and socialize with other kids in their neighborhood. They also have Preschool Time Read to Me Club which involved pre-registering.
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Riverside Library - (212) 870-1810 - 127 Amsterdam Avenue (at W. 65th St.), New York, NY 10023-6447
This Riverside library has a Lunchtime Play! program where infants up through 18 months and 3-5 year olds could play in the community room with the library’s toys, a great option for a free indoor play space that’s air conditioned in summer and warm in winter and of course dry on a rainy day.
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Midtown NYC Libraries with Children's Story Time Programs for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers
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Grand Central Library - (212) 621-0670 - 135 East 46th Street (between Lexington & Third Aves.), New York, NY 10017
This Midtown branch has a weekly Picture Book Read Aloud for kids 3-11.
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Kips Bay Library - (212) 683-2520 - 446 Third Avenue (at E. 31st St.), New York, NY 10016-6025
This family friendly branch near Murray Hill has a Baby Lapsit program where moms and caregivers could meet other babies for some lively songs and rhymes from birth to 18 months. Rhyme Time is for Kids 3-5 where they can listen to stories and rhyme and sing and play with musical instruments).
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Downtown NYC Libraries with Children's Story Time Programs for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers
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Jefferson Market Library - (212) 243-4334 - 425 Avenue of the Americas (at 10th St.), New York, NY 10011-8454
This Downtown NYC library has a number of great story hours for kids including Toddler Time, Arts & Crafts, Preschool Time, and Read to a Therapy Dog.
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Ottendorfer Library - (212) 674-0947 - 135 Second Avenue (near E. 8th St. - St. Marks Place), New York, NY 10003-8304
The Ottendorfer Library near St. Marks has a great Baby Story Time hour for infants up through 18 months.
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Three Little Birds MusicWhen you have two kids close in age, but not twins, it becomes nearly impossible to take them to their respective baby, toddler or preschool music, gym or art classes for mommy and me time. You have to leave one with a nanny or with dad and take the other for special time. If you are a stay at home NYC mom this becomes daunting and exhausting. Three Little Birds Music at 266 East 78th Street has a great sibling class for multi-age little kids that solves for this problem. Currently held Tuesdays at 1:30 and Wednesdays at 4:30pm you could unwind with your double stroller in-tow for a delightful class filled with fun music and song that both baby and toddler or preschooler will enjoy together and best of all, with their mommy. 
Gymboree NYC Gymboree also has Family Play and Learn times where siblings along with mom and dad could come, use the playroom and join in for some structured songs, activity and play at both Upper East Side, Midtown, Upper West Side and Downtown locations. Check out their schedule of classes for times at the gym near you.
Little Babe Big City Guide
