Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

Upcoming Storytimes
Mon, Apr 01, 6:00pm - 6:30pm
Columbus - Children's Programming Room
Join us at the library for Family Storytime!

Tue, Apr 02, 9:15am - 9:45am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Toddler Time!

Tue, Apr 02, 10:00am - 10:30am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Toddler Time!

Tue, Apr 02, 11:00am - 11:30am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Storytime!

Wed, Apr 03, 11:00am - 11:30am
Donner Park - Playground shelter
Learn about light and shadows in time for the Eclipse!

Thu, Apr 04, 10:00am - 10:25am
Columbus - Red Room
This relaxed program is a baby-friendly introduction to storytime.
This event is full

Thu, Apr 04, 10:35am - 11:00am
Columbus - Red Room
This relaxed program is a baby-friendly introduction to storytime.
This event is full

Tue, Apr 09, 9:15am - 9:45am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Toddler Time!

Tue, Apr 09, 10:00am - 10:30am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Toddler Time!

Tue, Apr 09, 11:00am - 11:30am
Columbus - Red Room
¡Los niños de 3-5 años están invitados a una hora de cuentos bilingües en Español e Inglés! Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited to a Bilingual storytime in Spanish and English!

Thu, Apr 11, 10:00am - 10:25am
Columbus - Red Room
This relaxed program is a baby-friendly introduction to storytime.
This event is full

Thu, Apr 11, 10:35am - 11:00am
Columbus - Red Room
This relaxed program is a baby-friendly introduction to storytime.
This event is full

Mon, Apr 15, 6:00pm - 6:30pm
Columbus - Children's Programming Room
Join us at the library for Family Storytime!

Tue, Apr 16, 9:15am - 9:45am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Toddler Time!

Tue, Apr 16, 10:00am - 10:30am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Toddler Time!

Tue, Apr 16, 11:00am - 11:30am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Storytime!

Thu, Apr 18, 10:00am - 10:25am
Columbus - Red Room
This relaxed program is a baby-friendly introduction to storytime.
This event is full

Thu, Apr 18, 10:35am - 11:00am
Columbus - Red Room
This relaxed program is a baby-friendly introduction to storytime.
This event is full

Mon, Apr 22, 6:00pm - 6:30pm
Columbus - Children's Programming Room
Join us at the library for Family Storytime!

Tue, Apr 23, 9:15am - 9:45am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Toddler Time!

Tue, Apr 23, 10:00am - 10:30am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Toddler Time!

Tue, Apr 23, 11:00am - 11:30am
Columbus - Red Room
Join us at the library for Storytime!

Fri, Apr 26, 11:00am - 11:30am
Columbus - Children's Programming Room
¡Los niños de 3-5 años están invitados a una hora de cuentos y cantos! Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited to a storytime in Spanish!

Frequently Asked Questions
How often do you have storytimes?
We offer public storytimes 4 days a week, 3 weeks per month. We also schedule special storytimes on weekends or for special events, so be sure to keep an eye on our calendar!
Who can attend storytime?
Anyone, so long as they are accompanied by a child! We offer age-appropriate storytimes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and mixed-age groups, so you can choose which storytime session best meets the needs of your child.

We do ask that you limit adult attendance to 2 adults per child in order to maintain a comfortable amount of space for participants.
Can older or younger siblings attend storytime, too?
Yes! However, we do ask that younger and older siblings be respectful of participants from the intended age group, and allow them to select seats, props, and/or toys first so that everyone can participate and have a good time.
Can my child attend a storytime for a different age group than their own?
Of course! It is ultimately up to you to determine which storytime session is the best fit for your child. Please do keep in mind, however, that we plan stories and activities according to children's developmental stages, so what we do in one session may or may not match what we do in other sessions (for instance, we do a lot more getting up and moving in our 1s-2s storytime than we do in our Just for Babies sessions).

In particular, the stories selected for our 3s-5s (PreK) storytimes are much longer than those used in our 1s-2s (toddler) storytimes, so please be mindful of your child's attention span when choosing which storytime sessions to attend.
What kinds of storytime programs do you offer?
We offer age-appropriate storytimes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and mixed-age groups. Read more about our weekly storytime programs below.
Library Babies
“Just for Babies” is specifically designed to cater to the interests and abilities of our tiniest patrons. We read two or three short stories - just right for baby’s limited attention span. We sing, rhyme, bounce, and clap. Sometimes we play with scarves, or with shakers. We ALWAYS spend the last 15 minutes just playing and socializing (that includes parents, too)! The program lasts about 30 minutes.

“Just for Babies” meets on Thursdays from 10:00 - 10:30a.m. in the storytime room.
Toddler Time
Toddler Time is our storytime program geared toward children ages 18mos-3 years. We read two or three short stories, we sing, rhyme, move, and clap, and sometimes we play with scarves or with shakers.

Toddler Time meets on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. on the library patio, and lasts about 20 minutes.
Storytime
Storytime is our public preschool-age storytime program. We read three stories, we sing, rhyme, move, and clap, and sometimes we play with scarves or with shakers. We always conclude with a craft or activity.

Storytime meets on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. on the library patio.
Family Storytime
Family storytimes are designed for families with children of any age, although stories will be selected for the 1-5 year old age group. We hold a family storytime on Mondays at 6pm and Wednesdays at 1pm, as well as select Saturdays. Storytimes are on the patio, weather allowing, or in the storytime room.


What if my child cannot sit still or is disruptive?
Every child is different, and almost all of them go through a storytime learning phase, during which they observe, participate, and figure out what it is they are supposed to do during storytime. We expect this! It generally lasts just a few weeks. We do our best to accommodate and redirect children when necessary. If your child is being exceptionally disruptive (screaming, throwing a tantrum, etc), you may always step out of the storytime room for a break and rejoin us if and when your child is ready.

Keep in mind that you as the caregiver set the most powerful example for your child, and so we highly encourage you to sit quietly during stories and participate in songs and rhymes with us to model appropriate behavior. You'll probably have more fun if you participate, too!
Other kids are misbehaving during storytime!
Yes, sometimes children do misbehave during storytime. And it often takes children a few weeks to learn what to expect AND what is expected of them at storytime. However, our goal is to make sure that anyone who wants to participate in storytime CAN.

While we may redirect children at times (particularly if they are obstructing other children's view or verbally interrupting the story), we understand and are accepting of developmentally appropriate behaviors from childen, including difficulty sitting still or keeping completely quiet. It is extremely rare that we will ask a child/caregiver to leave storytime (although we do reserve that right in the case of severe disruption).

Ultimately, it is caregivers who are responsible for their children's behavior.
Do you offer storytimes in languages other than English?
Yes! We offer French and Spanish storytime every month in conjunction with community partners. If you would like to see a storytime offered in another language, or if you or someone you know would be interested in offering a storytime in that language, please reach out and contact us.
How do I sign up for storytime?
You don’t need to register in advance to attend storytime - all you need to do is show up. If you have the time, you can pick up a nametag for your child at the circulation desk, but this isn’t required (although it does help us to learn our young friends’ names).
Do you offer any virtual or other distanced storytime options?
Yes! You can view virtual children's programs, including storytimes, online on our Facebook page and on our YouTube channel (both linked below).
Do you have any tips for beginning readers?
Yes! Visit our early literacy page to learn more about Every Child Ready to Read and other practices we promote in our storytime programs, and to find additional resources related to early reading instruction. You can also ask library staff members for additional assistance.

Follow along with virtual storytimes

Did you know you can check out one of our "Follow Along" kits, complete with shakers, scarves, and song lyrics - everything you need to follow along with our virtual storytime programs?! See our curated list of follow-along storytimes here. 

Follow-Along Storytime Playlist