CHILDREN AND TEEN PROGRAMS |
Innovative pathways into critical thinking, discovery, and knowledge that inspires learning in children and teens
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STORYTIME
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Through singing, talking, playing, and reading, infants and toddlers acquire literacy skills in a fun-filled learning environment which leads to children who both enjoy reading and read more. The program provides a supportive network to parents and caregivers where they connect to other families and form community bonds. The program provides families with a book each month and strategies on how to share the book with their little ones based on age. The books and literacy strategies help families increase literacy skills and build interest in reading.
AGES: 0-4 years (older siblings are welcome to attend) SCHEDULE: Tuesdays at 10:00 am View Virtual StoryTime Programs |
BOOKS FOR BABIES
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“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents”, Emily Buchwald. Recognizing that parents and caregivers are a child’s first teacher, the Books for Babies Program equips families to promote early literacy by providing a set of books and activities to every newborn in Marathon.
Our Books for Babies program provides a set of books to every family in our community with a newborn. In addition to providing materials, we teach families ways to connect with their little one while promoting literacy. Themed packets include a set of books, a story-related puppet, a small musical instrument, and informational handouts that focus on techniques to promote literacy such as age-appropriate ways to share a book with a child, story-related songs, and simple everyday activities that the family can focus on to increase literacy with their little one. |
DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY
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A book gifting program that mails a book every month to children under the age of five. Marathon Public Library serves as the community affiliate for Marathon and covers the cost of shipping and books.
If you have a loved one under the age of five that lives in the zip code 79842 (mailing address) you are eligible to register your loved one to receive a free book each month. AGES: 0-4 REGISTER FOR IMAGINATION LIBRARY |
SUMMER ART PROGRAM
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Children’s Summer Art Program is a part of our Discovery Summer Camp, with sessions on weaving, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, and painting. Secondary students (grades 6th-12th) at Marathon ISD do not have art classes. This program fills that gap and allows students to further develop their skills and talent. Registration required.
AGES: Grades PK4-8th (based on grade completed) SCHEDULE: Stay tuned for 2026 schedule View Virtual Art Programs |
CAMP CURIOSITY
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Part of our Discovery Summer Camp. Includes STEM-focused learning sessions with literature connections. Registration required.
AGES: Grades PK4-8th (based on grade completed) SCHEDULE: Stay tuned for 2026 schedule |
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
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Fighting the summer slide! As children gather around to hear stories of animals, inquire about subjects, and answer questions, they engage in thought-provoking activities that stimulate curiosity and encourage learning.
Part of our Discovery Summer Camp, our Summer Reading Program provides learning opportunities to children through storytime, imaginative play, skill-building activities, and most importantly – books! The 2025 theme is "Color Our World" developed by the Collaborative Summer Library Program. Our Summer Reading Program addresses the tendency for students, especially those from low-income families, to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. Access to books is critical – reading just 4 to 6 books over the summer has the potential to prevent a decline in reading achievement scores from the spring to the fall (Colorado Department of Education). As part of this program, we supply all students and teachers at MISD with their needed school supplies for the year to help ensure that all student have a strong foundation for a successful school year and to ease the back-to-school financial burden on local families and staff. Registration required. AGES: Grades PK4-8th (based on grade completed) SCHEDULE: Stay tuned for 2026 schedule |
MISSOULA CHILDREN'S THEATRE
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With makeup applied, costumes on, and butterflies in their nervous bellies, Marathon students become stars as they take the stage to perform “The Emperor’s New Clothes” presented by Missoula Children’s Theatre. In just one week, students have auditioned, rehearsed, and participated in acting workshops in preparation for the big community performance. Even shy and reluctant children break those barriers as they take on the role of their characters while building critical life skills – teamwork, confidence, and effective communication.
Marathon ISD does not offer theatre classes, this program allows the children in our community to experience performing arts. AGES: 5-18 SCHEDULE: Stay tuned for 2026 schedule LOCATION: Marathon Elementary School Auditorium |
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
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Children explore, create, and play while participating in fun, learning activities. Our AfterSchool Program meet three times a week and provides PreK-5th grade students with weekly learning experiences in a variety of STREAM subjects.
AGES: 4-18 SCHEDULE: Starts September 15 Monday: 3:30 - 5:00 for 1st - 2nd grade Tuesday: 3:30 - 5:00, TinkerTime for 2nd grade and up Wednesday: 3:30 - 4:30 for PK4-K AND 3:30 - 5:00 for 3rd - 4th grade Thursday: 3:30 - 5:00 for 5th grade and up |
YOU AND ME, INTERGENERATIONAL ART
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Come create with us! This new program takes a "mommy and me" approach to art, letting children create with their parent/guardian. The class will feature a variety of projects - like painting, clay, and weaving.
AGES: PreK and up (child with adult) SCHEDULE: Stay tuned for 2026 schedule LOCATION: Marathon Baptist Church Fellowship Hall |
MARATHON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOOK CART
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Smiles filled the faces of the students as they walked into the room, it was “Book Cart Day”! The Library Director, who the students lovingly called “Granny”, helped students select books about dragons, robots, and bugs. She handed the latest releases in book series to eager hands, and the students sat down to begin reading as they waited for their fellow students to complete their book selection.
Currently, Marathon ISD does not have a librarian and its book collection is dated. This program provides Marathon elementary and middle school students and teachers with library services and encourages children to read through a literary theme-based competition. AGES: 3-13 SCHEDULE: Biweekly August-May |
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
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At our annual Christmas Open House, Santa visits the Library and brings each child a book. This community event includes story time, refreshments, and fun, holiday activities.
AGES: 0-18 SCHEDULE: First Friday in December |
DIG LEARNING
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From planting a small seed to harvesting vegetables and picking flowers, children and teens learn science concepts through outdoor, educational activies. Gardening engages all five senses, teaches patience and math skills, and creates the next generation of environmental stewards.
AGES: 3-18 SCHEDULE: Activities incorporated into AfterSchool and Summer Reading programs |
OUTDOOR INSTRUMENT PARK
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Play with a purpose! Just like math, science, reading or writing, music and movement play an important role in a child’s development and have many benefits – developing small and large motor skills, learning to express emotions, and improving balance and coordination.
When children take part in music and movement activities, it encourages fun, creativity, and dance. In a group setting, children develop and improve social skills learning to work as a team and share. Research shows that exposure to music improves children’s ability to learn by improving children’s memory, cognitive development, learning skills, and expressive ability. Our Music and Movement Program takes a whole-child approach integrating physical, cognitive, social, and emotional learning elements. Activities in our Outdoor Music Park are incorporated into Infant and Toddler Time, AfterSchool, and Summer Reading Programs. AGES: 0-18 SCHEDULE: Activities incorporated into StoryTime, AfterSchool, and Summer Reading Programs. |
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ADULT PROGRAMS
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Engaging programs that create enriching, educational opportunities for residents and visitors
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ADULT BOOK CLUB
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The Adult Book Club program shares a variety of genres – from nonfiction focusing on wildlife conservation to science fiction with battling kingdoms – to broaden readers’ literary experiences.
DETAILS: Contact staff at [email protected] for program schedule |
KNOWLEDGE NIGHT
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From talks by an archeologist focusing on local, historic Native Americans to discussion with local artists, Knowledge Night seeks to provide engaging, informative experiences. SCHEDULE: Stay tuned for 2025-26 schedule |
ADULT ART CLASSES
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From weaving to painting with watercolors, our Adult Art Classes serve as a creative outlet and a way to escape the stress and rush of everyday.
SCHEDULE: Stay tuned for 2026 schedule LOCATION: |
FAMILY PLACE LIBRARIES
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Marathon Public Library is one of four libraries selected by Texas State Library and Archives Commission to participate in a pilot program to bring Family Place Libraries (FPL) to rural communities. FPL embraces the fact that literacy begins at birth, and libraries can help build healthy communities by promoting healthy families. FPL transforms libraries into community centers for early literacy and learning; parent education and engagement; family support; and community connectivity which helps to ensure all children enter school ready and able to learn.
AGES: 0-3 |