Youth Services

NWKLS has a Youth Consultant on staff to assist librarians with early literacy through young adult needs in public libraries and school libraries in our ten counties.

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Storywalk

Summer Library Program

NWKLS is partnering with Lightbox Learning to provide rich digital content to students in grades K–5. Lightbox Learning (found at openlightbox.com) is an online curriculum platform that offers interactive educational resources designed to engage young learners and support teachers and librarians in the classroom and library.

Lightbox Learning is a cloud-based educational solution that blends multimedia digital content with traditional curriculum to make learning more dynamic and meaningful for students. The platform includes hundreds to thousands of age-appropriate interactive digital books and titles tailored to grade levels, spanning subjects such as language arts, math, science, social studies, and more.

For K–5 students, Lightbox offers grade-specific collections that help young learners develop reading, writing, math, and science skills while exploring content that encourages curiosity and critical thinking.

To access your school's Lightbox Subscription click the button below

If you have questions, email NWKLS Staff at nwklsstaff@nwkls.org

Northwest Kansas Library System supports youth by offering scholarship opportunities and internships, providing them with valuable financial assistance and hands-on experience that helps them develop essential skills, gain industry knowledge, and build a strong foundation for their future careers.

2027 Scholarship

Northwest Kansas Library System offers a $500.00 college scholarship each year for area students. Eligibility for this scholarship includes residents of Cheyenne, Decatur, Gove, Logan, Norton, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego, and Wallace Counties in undergraduate and graduate studies with preference given to literature, library science, education, or any related fields.

Opens January 1, 2027

Deadline is April 1, 2027

Previous Awardees

NWKLS Nex-Gen Internship

Available for high School and college students, to be matched with businesses in Northwest Kansas. Northwest Kansas Library System works with Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth, inc. to bring students into our work environment during the summer months. We aim to give students a mentorship allowing them to gain professional skills and broaden their career options.

Follow the link to the Nex-Gen website to learn more!

Previous Nex-Gen Interns

Storytime

Northwest Kansas Library System (NWKLS) staff are available to conduct engaging and educational storytime sessions at public libraries and school libraries across our region. These visits are a great way to promote early literacy, encourage a love of reading, and support local library programs. NWKLS staff bring a variety of themed storytime options tailored to different age groups and can collaborate with library or school staff to fit specific needs or schedules. To request a storytime visit or learn more, please contact Lisa at lvanskike@nwkls.org

Public Libraries

Public libraries can request NWKLS for storytime any time during the year. We do have a storytime program that goes along with the summer theme of each year.

School Libraries

School libraries can utilize our storytime all throughout the school year. NWKLS staff has helped schools in previous years with some of the following events:

Dr. Suess Week

Read Across America

Presidental Election Events

Superbowl Events

Buddy System Reading Events

Classroom Volunteer Readers

Set up a reader at your library today!

Contact Us - Lisa VanSkike

Children's Services Consultant

lvanskike@nwkls.org

Summer Library Programming

NWKLS encourages preschool and school-age children to visit the library and read for fun, without focusing on grade levels or book reports. This program helps develop library literacy and fosters a lifelong appreciation for libraries, offering a broad selection of materials in a non-competitive, enjoyable environment. Libraries can partner with CSLP to follow annual themes and receive materials to support their summer programs. While the goal is not necessarily to turn every child into an avid reader, the program promotes literacy, education, and science through engaging summer reading events in public libraries.

NWKLS Mobile Sensory Lab

Content Coming Soon!

#2 Washington Square, Norton, KS 67654

Phone: 785-877-5148 or 1-800-432-2858

Email: NWKLSStaff@nwkls.org