Gather ‘Round for Storytime

If you are looking for a way to get your little ones out of the house during the cold winter months, look no further than the library!

Most of our 30 library branches offer weekly storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers that are designed to  engage young children in a fun, educational, and social experience that fosters a love of reading and learning.

Our storytime goals include:

• Promoting early literacy: Storytime helps develop foundational language skills by introducing children to new vocabulary, sentence structure, and the rhythm of language. Early literacy skills are essential for preparing them for reading and writing later on.
• Encouraging a love of learning, books, and the library: Through interactive and enjoyable storytime programming, children learn that books can be fun, which can inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning. By offering a welcoming and playful environment, libraries encourage families to visit regularly and make the library a familiar and comfortable space.
• Building social skills: Children interact with peers, adults, and caregivers, practicing important social behaviors like listening, sharing, and taking turns.

Story times also offer benefits for caregivers, including:

• Learning literacy strategies: Adults gain practical ideas for fostering early literacy skills at home.
• Building community: Storytime offers opportunities for parents to meet other caregivers and share experiences.

Storytime at NCW Libraries promotes a love of learning, books, and the library by engaging children with fun, interactive stories. It helps develop early literacy skills, builds a love for books, and creates excitement around reading.

Storytime also fosters social skills, encourages family involvement, and introduces children to library resources. It makes the library a welcoming place for exploration, learning, and community connection.