'The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.' - Dorothy Parker, writer and poet.
The Colchester District Library is launching a new club aimed at hands-on learning for children, ages 6-10. According to Library Volunteer Tom Jalinski, the Curiosity Club blends fun, creativity and discovery, while helping transform the library into a welcoming community space for families. The Curiosity Club will meet from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning Jan. 14 and continue each week throughout the school year. The program is open to students from West Prairie Elementary, as well as homeschoolers and children from other schools. Families and siblings are encouraged to attend and participate together, he added.
'When I was a kid, one of my favorite toys was a two-car electric plastic slot-car race track. I had to sit just right so the wires on the controllers would reach. That felt like cutting- edge technology at the time. Today, kids are flying drones, inside a library,' Jalinski shared. 'That sense of wonder is at the heart of Curiosity Club.'
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The program will be offered in short learning units focused on modern tools and ideas such as drones, 3D printing, and robotics, presented in a playful, age-appropriate way. No prior experience is needed … just curiosity.
Jalinski noted the Curiosity Club is also part of a broader effort to reimagine the library as a living community hub, a place where children can explore, families can connect, and learning feels exciting again.
'Children of all abilities are welcome. The program is designed to be patient, flexible and inclusive,' he added. 'As someone who lives with a disability, creating a space where every child feels safe and valued is deeply important to this work.'
In addition to weekly sessions, the library will host monthly Saturday family bonus programs to encourage broader community participation. To join Curiosity Club, parents can register their child(ren) by contacting the library at (309) 776-4861 or [email protected]. Flyers and additional information are available at the Colchester District Library.
This program is made possible through a generous grant from the Tracy Foundation, whose support helps the library expand learning opportunities and strengthen community connections.
