American Library in Paris

Toddler Time (ages 1–3)
2026-07-16 11:00 - 11:30 (Europe/Paris) | The American Library in Paris
This event for children ages 1–3 and their caregivers features 30 minutes of stories, songs, and rhymes. Stories presented during our Toddler Time programs include short picture books and board books such as Little Cloud by Eric Carle (pictured here), which will be featured during this session.
Toddler Time sessions are hosted by Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members, and include age-appropriate stories selected by the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ librarians. Enjoy stories, music, movement and rhymes and help develop your child’s early literacy skills. Stay for play and social time after the event.
The program is entirely in English, as are all of our events for children and teens. No translation will be provided. Each child must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, and chaperones are required to remain with their children for the duration of the program. Parents and caregivers are expected to sit with their children beside them, or in their laps, and participate in the program. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers! Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

History Tour at the Library
2026-07-17 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-24 11:00 - 12:00
The American Library in Paris invites you to register for a History Tour. Come visit us in person at 10 rue du Général Camou and discover:

Our origin story: How our Library grew out of a collection of books donated to troops in WWI
The establishment of the American Library in Paris as a private non-profit library
The famous writers of the Lost Generation (Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, Henry Miller, and others) who explored our stacks
The Paris Library School, which brought American innovations to French libraries between the wars
The true stories of the brave librarians who kept the Library open during the Occupation of WWII
How the Library has evolved over its 106-year history into the largest English-language lending library on the European continent

All tours are on Fridays at 11h00, last one hour, and take place in person at the American Library in Paris.
Tours are free of charge and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Please contact us if you wish to reserve for 5 or more people (do not reserve through the site).
For school or group reservations, or for other questions, please email tours@americanlibraryinparis.org.
This initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Florence Gould Foundation and the American Center for Art and Culture.
Attendance at this event constitutes permission for your photograph or video to be taken at the event and used by the American Library in Paris for marketing, promotional, pedagogical, or other purposes.

Music Together with Stacey Pavesi Debré (ages 0–5)
2026-07-17 16:00 - 17:00 | The American Library in Paris
Today, it’s common for us to simply listen to music rather than create it ourselves. But actively making music—with our voices and our bodies—is important to children’s overall development. Since 1987, Music Together, has introduced millions of children, parents, and teachers to the joys of music-making and the powerful benefits of having music in their lives. In our family workshops children and parents learn together through active exploration and live, meaningful interaction. So, take out the earbuds and pick up the instruments we were all given at birth—ourselves! Each child (aged 0–5) should accompany one of their favorite grownups.
About Stacey Pavesi Debré: An American in Paris since 2014, Stacey has been passionate about music and learning her whole life. She studied piano and string bass, joined choirs, orchestras, a capella groups and musical theaters, and worked as a vocalist in Japan and a singing bartender in NYC. In 2017, Stacey founded Bébé Music Box to bring Music Together’s award-winning music and movement classes to families and schools in Paris. Our weekly mixed-age family classes are a fun, dynamic, and inspiring way for families to connect through music. Plus, because music learning supports all learning, the benefits for our young music-makers extend well beyond class. For more information about Bébé Music Box family classes or to contact Stacey, visit www.bbmusicbox.com. To read more about music’s magical effects on children, visit www.musictogether.com. Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Caregivers must remain with their children for the duration of this program. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Saturday Series: Ordinary/Extraordinary (Painting Still Life) (ages 6–12)
2026-07-18 11:00 - 12:00 | The American Library in Paris
Learn about the work of Van Gogh and other artists who painted in still life and then create your own picture during this painting workshop.
This activity is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. All participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate in the program. Children between the ages 6–12 may participate in Library programs on their own, while their chaperone remains inside the Library.
This event will be hosted by Member Services Assistant Colette Dia with the help of Library volunteers.
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Adventure Role Play: Wild West (ages 12–18)
2026-07-18 14:00 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
Interested in tabletop role-playing games? Join this one-off, one-afternoon-only RPG for teens! Role playing games offer a chance to sharpen your storytelling skills and have fun creating characters. Join us for an afternoon TTRPG campaign in a wild west setting! We’ll have characters, mini-figures, dice, and an awesome story for you! The game offered during this event will be a short one-off RPG, with no experience needed, and all materials will be provided.
This event will be hosted by Volunteer Tjasa Kmetec with support from Library staff.
Drinks and light snacks will be provided by the Library. Important information:
This event is free for Library members, and 15€ per teen for non-members. Advance registration is required. All visitors are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons.
Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Story Hour: Playing and Pretending (ages 3–5)
2026-07-22 14:30 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
For this program, join us for stories all about playing pretend and dressing up! Stories featured in this event include picture books such as I Am Actually a Penguin! by Sean Taylor and Kasia Matyjaszek, and Ahoy! by Sophie Blackall (pictured here). We’ll also sing songs and practice rhymes.
This program is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. This participatory program is intended to encourage children to actively engage with stories. Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members will read books in English and lead you and your little one in songs and hand-rhymes during a live, interactive session. Plan to join in, sing along, move around, and model movement and listening for your little one. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Game Day (ages 4–12)
2026-07-25 11:00 - 12:00 | The American Library in Paris
Learn how to play one of the board games or card games available at the Library, or bring in a game from home to share and play. Library volunteers will help walk you through the rules of the games.
Children between the ages 6–12 may participate in Library programs on their own, while their chaperone remains inside the Library. Children ages 4–6 must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times for the duration of this event. Caregivers are welcome to participate in this event. Please note on the registration form if you plan on attending and playing along. Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. The activity is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. All participants must be able to understand and speak English in order to participate in the program. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Page vs. Screen: Cinematic Writing with Noah Weisz (ages 12–18)
2026-07-25 13:00 - 15:00 | The American Library in Paris
Meet other writers in the community as you work on your creative writing. You might have heard that good writing is “cinematic.” But what does that really mean? How can we write stories that feel as vivid as a movie? And could there be any hidden downsides to this approach? Through thought-provoking discussion and several hands-on exercises, we’ll explore the intriguing dilemma of page vs. screen: how to steal exciting writing techniques from the world of film and TV while also learning to value and practice the most important effects that only a book can deliver.
Guest host Noah Weisz will lead this workshop. Noah Weisz is a fiction writer and educator with an MFA in Creative Writing and over a decade of experience helping students of all ages unleash the stories they have inside. Noah‘s own writing for children and young adults has been widely published in literary magazines and has won the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award, the A. Orr Fantasy Award, and the Katherine Paterson Prize for middle-grade fiction, among other honors. He is also a three-time finalist for the Bath Children’s Novel Award. Most recently, he has taught undergraduate creative writing workshops at Sciences Po and CEA CAPA; he also teaches creative writing at several middle schools around Paris, to adults through WICE, and to private students of all skill levels.
Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Important information:
This event is free for Library members, and 15€ per teen for non-members. Advance registration is required. All visitors are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons.
Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children and Teens Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Story Hour: Mermaid Day (ages 3–5)
2026-07-29 14:30 - 15:30 | The American Library in Paris
For this program, join us for stories all about mermaids! Stories featured in this event include picture books such as How to Spot a Mermaid by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Sally Deng (pictured here). We’ll also sing songs and practice rhymes.
This program is entirely in English, and no translation will be provided. This participatory program is intended to encourage children to actively engage with stories. Children’s and Teens’ Services staff members will read books in English and lead you and your little one in songs and hand-rhymes during a live, interactive session. Plan to join in, sing along, move around, and model movement and listening for your little one. We ask that all caregivers put away their phones and other electronic devices for the duration of this program. With your help, we hope to inspire children to become lifelong readers!
Important information: This event is for Library members, and advance registration is required. Caregivers are expected to familiarize themselves with the Library Policy for Children and the Rules and Code of Conduct so that we can provide a pleasant library environment for all patrons. Questions about collections and programs for children and teens can be sent to the Library’s Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, Celeste Rhoads: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.

Deadline to apply: 2026–2027 teen clubs
2026-07-31 22:00 | The American Library in Paris
Do you want to know more about the behind-the-scenes life of the Library? Did you see a cool film made by a member of the Master Shot Film Club? Have you heard from a friend about how much their writing improved after joining the Teen Writing Group? Are you interested in working on your public speaking skills? Applications open on 1 March for all of the Library’s teen clubs (the Teen Advisory Group Group, Master Shot Film Club, the Teen Writing Group, and the Youth Leadership Program). Teens can apply via the online forms on the Library website. All applications are due by 31 July at 23h00, and an application is required for each individual club.

Teen Writing Group (open to Library members ages 12–18)
Meets one Saturday a month from 17h00–18h30

Master Shot Film Club (open to teens ages 12–18)
Meets one Saturday a month from 17h00–18h30

Teen Advisory Group (open to Library ages 12–18)
Meets one Friday a month from 17h00–18h30

The Youth Leadership Program (with Toastmasters) (for ages 14–18)
Meets one Friday a month from 19h00–21h00
