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Storytime Guidelines

The Library plans storytimes for children at specific ages and stages of development. A variety of storytime opportunities include:

Preschool Storytimes

Audience: 3 to 5-year-olds

Planned for children ages three to five. These storytimes consist of 30 to 40 minutes of stories, films, flannelboards, fingerplays, and other activities. Some libraries require children who attend to pre-register. Call the library you wish to attend for further information. Children may be attending storytime in an area separate from their parents or care-givers, and should be prepared for this.

Lap-Sit Storytimes

Audience: Infants, parents or caregivers and family

Designed for our youngest group of listeners, from birth on up, and can include the whole family. They last about 20 minutes and feature stories, flannelboards, songs, puppets, and fingerplays. Reading to babies introduces them to the idea of books, stimulates their senses, and prepares them for reading. Active participation by parents and children in a Lap-Sit program encourages mutual enjoyment of storytime.

Toddler Storytimes

Audience: 2-year-olds, and parents or caregivers

Designed especially for two-year olds. They last about 30 minutes and include stories, films, flannelboards, fingerplays, and other developmentally appropriate activities. Adults will participate in activities, so comfortable dress is recommended. It is hoped that you can attend regularly since activities one week are often dependent on those shared the week before. To prepare a toddler, you may wish to discuss going to the library ahead of time and assure the child that you are attending storytime together. If your toddler becomes restless or upset during storytime, simply step outside the storytime area for a few moments to help the child focus on the activities once again.

Bedtime Stories

Audience: Evening stories for 3 to 6-year-olds

Intended for children who are unable to attend library storytimes during the day and for those who enjoy captivating stories at bedtime. Youngsters may wear pajamas and bring a stuffed "friend" to experience a variety of stories, flannelboards, songs, and other activities. Bedtime stories last about 30 minutes.

Lunch with the Librarian

Audience: 3 to 6-year-olds, parents, caregivers, and other family members.

A noon hour of stories and films for ages 3-6, parents, and other family members available at this time. Some libraries require pre-registration. Bring a bag lunch and enjoy.

ASL Storytimes

Designed with the deaf and hard of hearing child in mind. Storytimes are presented in American Sign Language and an  interpreter translates  the story for the hearing members of the audience.

Storytime Tips

An important part of the storytime experience for children is checking out books to read or share. Children of any age may have their very own library card. Applications can be picked up at any library check-out desk. Adults are encouraged to nurture a child's library habit from infancy.

Library staff have developed booklists that will be helpful to you in selecting books for children. Be sure to pick them up, or ask a librarian for assistance.

It is hoped that a child's storytime experience will begin many years of happy reading! For more information, call any Saint Paul Public Library branch.

Some libraries have additional guidelines concerning program registration, adult attendance in the storytime area, and group attendance. Call the library where you wish to attend for further information.

Copyright 2002-2008, Saint Paul Public Library - 90 W. 4th Saint Paul, MN 55102
Questions or comments: 651-266-7000 / Ask a Librarian

Melanie Huggins, Library Director | Library Board
An Agency of the City of Saint Paul - Christopher B. Coleman, Mayor
Media Relations: Sheree Savage / 651-266-7029

Webmaster: SPPLWeb@ci.stpaul.mn.us