Did you know that your children’s librarians regularly get out into the community, taking stories to kids throughout the city?
Children’s Librarian Kalyn Webb leads monthly storytimes at North Side Elementary and Mountain View Elementary Educare programs that serve ages 5-12. The goal of these off-site storytimes is to bring the Library to meet children where they are.
Webb said, “It’s fun to get out of the Library and read to kids who can’t visit us for one reason or another. I love getting them excited about reading and talking about books they’ve read from their school library.”
Taking books off-site means that the Library becomes more than just an idea to the kids; it’s a real place with librarians like Webb who can help them find books, answer questions, and learn about things that interest them.
The kids look forward to Webb’s visits. Harper, a North Side fourth grader, said her favorite part is how Webb makes the stories come alive. She said, “I like that Ms. Kalyn expresses feelings when she reads. And she does different voices for the characters.”
Gracie Merrick, North Side’s Educare Program Director, sees the Library’s partnership as meaningful and impactful for the students. Webb’s storytimes are thoughtfully led and developmentally appropriate, Merrick said, which strengthens children’s language and listening skills while also sparking imagination and a love of reading.
These sessions also make the Library feel more accessible and relevant. Merrick explained, “For many of our families, these storytimes are a bridge to the Library’s broader resources, showing that the Library can be part of their child’s learning journey.”
The Children’s Library serves our community’s kids and families in a variety of meaningful and impactful ways. Stop by the Library to browse our extensive children’s collection, talk with a librarian about our services and resources, and attend a storytime or other children’s program.
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