Indie shop Book Culture is putting practically everything on sale at both of its Morningside Heights locations this Friday, March 19 through Sunday, March 21. You’ll find tons of bargains in the store’s cheery children’s room at the 114th and Broadway location—plush toys, games and, of course, books! Sure, you could get similar discounts online. But when a space is this inviting, why not browse in person?

We already told you about this week’s opening of the brand spanking new Battery Park City branch. Even though the doors were opened on Monday, today’s the culture hub’s official opening celebration, There are a bunch of activities for families, including crafts, poetry readings and a visit from a few birds of prey. Sounds like a winner!

Photograph: Credit: Tim Furzer

After 11 years of lobbying and grass-roots campaigning, Battery Park City has its own library. Although the doors opened on Monday, the official welcoming ceremony is this Thursday and includes lots of free activities for families, such as readings and a live birds of prey demo. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the new two-story culture hub: It’s Manhattan’s first LEED-certified library branch, featuring efficient, low-energy heating and cooling, and lighting systems, and is partially constructed from recycled and reused materials.

In addition to three separate reading areas (to accommodate children, young adults and adults), the library has 24,000 books, CDs and DVDs, and 36 computers. The children’s room, conveniently located on the first floor, has a storytime nook, kid-friendly computers and stroller parking. While the day-to-day programming is still being fine-tuned, there are promises of weekly storytimes for tots, arts and crafts workshops for bigger kids, computer classes, author readings and movie screenings. The only downside? Due to recent budget cuts, the New York Times says it’s possible the branch may not be able to stay open full-time. We’re going to try to stay positive and just say welcome! Battery Park City Library, 175 North End Ave at Murray St (212-790-3499, nypl.org).

Photograph: Credit: Tim Furzer

Attention parents of alterna-tweens. Your child gets a double dose of pop kid culture for free tonight at the Union Square Barnes & Noble. First, YA author Blake Nelson reads from his latest book, Destroy All Cars. Next, all-girl teen group Care Bears on Fire plays a short set of songs from the band’s new CD, Get Over It! Bet you’ve heard that phrase before…

We’ll spare you any “who let the dogs out” references. Award-winning author Chris Raschka (Charlie Parker Played Be Bop, Yo! Yes?) is much too sophisticated for that sort of thing. Today he hits Bank Street Bookstore on the Upper West Side to read from his latest picture book, Hip Hop Dog, which, as the title implies, is about a rapping pooch.

Looks like the weather might clear up in time for Sunday morning’s Brady Rymer show at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. Bonus: The shop is holding a big children’s book sale all weekend long, giving you an excuse to stop by even if you aren’t going to the gig (though our littlest music reviewer will be disappointed if you don’t). Hardcovers are 30 percent off and paperbacks are just a buck.

Some good library news for a change: The NYPL’s St. Agnes branch, closed for renovation since October  2007, celebrates its grand reopening this Thursday with a day of family activities (Magic! Music! Face painting! Balloon animals!). Much of the building’s first floor is devoted to the kiddies, with two reading areas, a new sky-lit story-hour room, comfy seating, 12 computer terminals—and, best of all, enough books to while away many a winter’s afternoon. The festivities kick off Thursday February 11 at 11am with the opening ceremony and ribbon cutting; kids’ programming begins at 12:30pm.

Photo: Elizabeth Felicella