Storytime at Mesa County Libraries
Storytime makes learning fun! Featuring stories, songs, rhymes, and other activities, Storytime emphasizes five simple practices – reading, talking, writing, singing, and playing – that help children learn the skills they need to be ready to read. Storytime is a great way to introduce your child to language skills in a positive and fun environment. Children and their grownups are encouraged to engage with books and songs and to actively participate in the program. Storytimes last around 30 minutes unless otherwise noted. Please visit our event calendar for times and locations of all Storytime offerings.
The Storytimes We Offer
Infant and Toddler Storytime
A story time experience for our youngest library users and their caregivers. These 20-to-30-minute story times introduce books, songs, rhymes, and other activities that are developmentally appropriate for children from birth up to 36 months of age.
Share the fun of reading with your children ages 3 to 5 years! During these storytimes, children and their grownups will explore stories and activities that encourage children to expand their imaginations and arouse curiosity about the world around them while developing a lifelong love of reading and learning.
Hora de Cuentos Bilingue (Bilingual storytime)
Learn, read, sing, and have fun while practicing and learning Spanish! During these storytimes families with children up to age 6 will learn traditional and new Hispanic and Latino songs, games, and amazing stories. They’ll also have fun learning about festivities from Spanish-speaking countries and explore traditions of families around the world! All kids and families wanting to learn Spanish or who already know Spanish are welcome!
Storytime fun for the entire family, these story times are packed full of books and activities designed to be enjoyed by families with children up to age 6. Promoting language and literacy skills, these story times are a great way to further your child’s lifelong love of reading and learning.
To help get ready for your visit, please feel free to check out our Social Story about the Central library.
What is the role of adults at storytime?
An adult bringing a child to storytime must remain with the child throughout the duration of the program. Parents and caregivers can learn by watching library staff demonstrate good read-aloud skills and by being aware of the age-appropriate books, music, songs and activities staff use during story time then take these tools home for use beyond the walls of the library.
How can a parent or caregiver find a convenient storytime?
Please check our event calendar to find a story time appropriate for your child and convenient for your family. Space at storytimes may be limited. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis unless otherwise indicated on the calendar listing.
Can I bring my group to storytime?
Capacity will vary from location to location. Please contact the library location for more details, including how to schedule a storytime specifically for your group.
How can caregivers make the most of storytime?
- Come to storytime on a regular basis.
- Arrive a few minutes early.
- Set an example for your child by paying attention to the stories and actively participating in activities throughout storytime.
- Silence phones and other devices and put them away.
- Put away food, toys and other distractions.
- Take an upset child out of the program area and come back when they calm down.
- Encourage your child to choose books to share at home.
- Ask library staff for help in choosing age-appropriate books and music.
- Talk with your child about the stories after story time.
- Say the storytime rhymes and sing the songs at home with your child.