Storytimes

Storytime is one of the most important program the library offers.  Storytime introduces “the idea that books and reading are valuable” (Peck 2006, p. 54) to children.  Children learn how to sit still, listen and important early literacy skills in storytime (Peck 2006, p. 54).  All storytimes include songs which encourage movement and rime the brain for learning (Darling-Kuria 2010, p. 31). Children also learn early literacy skills such as print awareness, vocabulary, narrative skills, and letter knowledge in storytime, which help them in learning to read.  Simple crafts, such as coloring sheets, as included in toddler and family storytimes.  Crafts help to reinforce the theme of the storytime and gives children a opportunity to develop fine motor skills (Peck 2006, p. 67).

Baby Lapsit

Baby lapsit is aimed at introducing parents to age appropriate books and songs and involving parents in their child’s learning by modeling behaviors to repeat at home.  Parents are required to preregister for baby lapsit as the storytime usually works better with a group of 15 parent/child pairs or less (Peck 2009 p.11).  Parents are requires to attend with their child and the baby must be between 0 and 24 months.  Books featured in baby lapsit are short with simple bold illustrations.  In addition to books, baby lapsit consists of body and tickle rhymes which encourage interaction and bonding between baby and caregiver.  Baby lapsit takes place on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 10:30 AM and usually lasts about 20 minutes. 

Toddler Storytime       

Toddler storytime is more active than baby lapsit with more action songs, fingerplays and movement.  In toddler storytime circular stories and participation stories are introduced which invite children to partake in the telling of the story and helps to build children’s understanding of narrative.  The librarian will continue to model reading and appropriate books choices to parents, as she did in baby lapsit.  Toddler storytime also features active songs, fingerplays, some of which will be familiar from baby lapsit.  Toddler storytime takes place every Thursday at 10:30 AM at the Goleta Library and last approximately 30 minutes.

Family Storytime    

    

Family storytime takes place twice a month on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month at 1:00 PM.  Family story time is aimed at children birth through eight years of age.  The stories in family storytime are longer and generally written for preschool children and older.  Stories read for family storytime should include bold illustrations and lively storylines to help keep younger children’s attention.  Children of all ages will also enjoy the lively songs and fingerplay featured in between stories.  Family storytime generally lasts between 30 and 40 minutes. 

Costs

There are no costs associated with this program.

Staff/Volunteers

At least one staff member is needed to plan and perform storytimes.  This could be done by one staff member or different staff members could be responsible for different storytimes. 

Marketing/Advertising

Storytime will be advertised on the library website, with a take home flyer in the library, and on parentsclick.com.