Neptune Beach's Beaches Branch Library has dozens of free children's programs scheduled through the end of October, including weekly storytimes, therapy-dog reading sessions, crafts and a Halloween party.

The Friends of the Beaches Branch Library, the nonprofit organization that supports the library at 600 3rd St., published the October children's calendar Monday, Oct. 5.

Programs are free, although attendance at some events is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Friends of the Beaches Branch Library

Storytimes run three days a week

Little Readers, designed for children from birth through age 5, combines stories with music, movement and other activities aimed at building early learning skills.

Upcoming sessions are Tuesdays, Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 2 to 2:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28, at 10:15 and 11 a.m.; and Thursdays, Oct. 8, 15, 22 and 29, at 10:15 and 11 a.m. Friends of the Beaches Branch Library

Attendance is limited and first come, first served. Check-in begins 30 minutes before each session. jaxpubliclibrary.libnet.info

Spanish Storytime is scheduled Wednesday, Oct. 7, and Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Friends of the Beaches Branch Library

Art, science and crafts fill the calendar

Junior Artist, for ages 5 to 8, combines books and games with art activities. Upcoming sessions are Thursdays, Oct. 15 and 29, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Junior Scientist, also for ages 5 to 8, pairs a STEM-themed book with a related activity. Sessions are Thursdays, Oct. 8 and 22, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Drop-in children's crafts are scheduled Saturdays, Oct. 10 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All ages are welcome, and supplies are available while they last. Friends of the Beaches Branch Library

A Big Kid Craft for school-age children and their families runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12. Participants will turn pages from old illustrated books into collage bookmarks. jaxpubliclibrary.libnet.info

Play Dough Play Time, for ages 1 to 5, meets Fridays, Oct. 9 and 16, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Zine Time on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 3 to 5 p.m., gives children and teens ages 7 to 17 a chance to create a booklet, magazine, comic or collage. Friends of the Beaches Branch Library

Therapy dogs help children practice reading

Video Games Night runs from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, for children ages 7 to 12. Turn Up for Tech on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 5 p.m., gives school-age children a chance to explore robots, circuits, animation and coding.

Children ages 12 and younger can also practice reading aloud to visiting therapy dogs.

Read to Kasper is scheduled from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. Children participate in 10-minute increments on a first-come, first-served basis. jaxpubliclibrary.libnet.info

Read to Ozzie is scheduled from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28. Children may bring a book or choose one at the library. Friends of the Beaches Branch Library

Halloween party closes out the month

The library's Drop-in Preschool Halloween Party runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, with games, a craft and trick-or-treating inside the library. Children are invited to wear costumes.

Press Our Buttons, a button-making craft, follows from 4 to 5 p.m.

The month's children's programming concludes with a Drop-in Halloween Craft from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Friends of the Beaches Branch Library

The Beaches Branch Library is open noon to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. It is closed Sunday. The library is at 600 3rd St. in Neptune Beach. Call 904-255-2665 or check the Jacksonville Public Library event calendar for program details and possible updates. Jacksonville Public Library