This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Promoting early childhood letter and number literacy is a cornerstone of nearly every public library's mission, and interactive, engaging storytimes have been repeatedly shown to dramatically improve those outcomes for children. Recent staffing changes and the results of a six-week long survey of parents and caregivers prompted Library staff to re-evaluate their storytime offerings and how they might be adjusted to better serve the always-changing needs of the community. The result is a refreshed, realigned, and reimagined weekly storytime schedule.
On Mondays, the Library's popular Yoga Storytime will continue in its current 11 to 11:45 am time slot. Our NIA and Creative Movement-certified librarian, Valerie, runs a playful 45-minute storytime, integrating stories and songs with yoga poses and movement in the large Meeting Room.
Beginning February 5, Tuesdays will be ruled by the toddlers at the Library. A new Toddler Storytime, designed for ages two and three, will be offered every Tuesday, 10:15 to 10:45 am and 11 to 11:30 am in the large Meeting Room. This 30-minute storytime includes longer stories, songs, and movement to build language and literacy skills.
Baby Storytime will give up its Tuesday slot and occupy center stage on Wednesdays, from 10:15 to 10:35 am and 11 to 11:20 am in the large Meeting Room. This interactive storytime is designed for the very youngest children and their grownup and includes 20 minutes of short stories, lots of songs, rhymes, bouncing, and fun for child and grownup to build language and pre-literacy skills.
Thursdays will be a veritable cornucopia of storytime goodness at the Library. Bedtime Storytime will continue in its 7 to 7:30 pm position each Thursday evening. Stories and songs are presented in the Craft Room with a three- to six-year-old audience in mind, although everyone is welcome. Pajamas are encouraged, and stuffed animal friends are welcome to join in.
On the first Thursdays of the month, beginning on February 7, a second Bilingual Storytime/Cuentos Bilingües will be added to the existing one offered on the second Monday evenings of each month. This storytime is created for children in preschool and older and is known for lots of fun with stories, songs, and rhymes in Spanish and English. One of our bilingual librarians hosts this popular storytime in the Craft Room from 11 to 11:30 am on the first Thursday of the month.
Beginning February 14, the second and third Thursdays of the month will feature cherished stories from the recent and more distant past in the new Throwback Thursday: Classic Storytime, held from 11 to 11:30 am. This 30-minute storytime in the Craft Room will encourage parents and children of all ages to take time out, slow down, and listen to longer stories with a focus on the classics (Goodnight Moon anyone?). No screens will be allowed, but there will be lots of felt board stories, rhymes, and calm.
Fourth Thursdays, from 10:15 to 11 am will continue to be the home of Nature Storytime with Miss Margaret in the large Meeting Room. With a science focus, this program introduces stories, songs, games, and hands-on activities that explore local nature. All ages are welcome, but the program is geared for ages preschool to 9. Nature Storytime requires registration and is the only regular storytime to do so.
The week will wrap up with a fun Family Storytime on Fridays from 11 to 11:30 in the large Meeting Room, beginning February 8. This 30-minute storytime is designed for children of all ages and their grown-ups and features lots of fun picture books along with movement and age-appropriate stories and games to help children become ready to read. Periodically this storytime will feature a special guest or craft activity. In fact, the maiden voyage of this refreshed storytime will include a visit from the Tooth Fairy for National Children's Dental Month!
Except for Nature Storytime, none of these programs require registration, so parents and caregivers are encouraged to check the Library's website calendar and then drop in for learning that only feels like fun.
