Storytimes & Events

Family Literacy & Education Programs - Storytime

Read to a Dog

Pima County Public Library invites you to come read to a dog. Find out more!

Calendar of Events

• See all events for kids!

Check the Calendar of Events for Storytimes at your local library, or use the lists below.

Online Storytimes with TumbleBooks!

• Tumble Books

An easy-to-use collection of animated, talking picture books -- plus read alongs, puzzles and games.

What is Storytime?

Storytime is a free service of the Pima County Public Library. It is an opportunity for parents to introduce their children to reading and language in a fun way. At Storytime, children have an opportunity to do activities that promote development and learning. All programs are designed for parents to participate with their children; arrangements for school, daycare, or other group visits need to be made in advance.

Babytime

Designed for babies up to 18 months of age. At Storytime, children have an opportunity to do activities that promote development and learning.

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Toddler Storytime

Designed for children 18- to 36-months-old. Parents/caregivers and children interact through stories, songs, and rhymes. Stories are kept short to fit the toddlers' short attention spans. Each Toddler storytime is 20 to 30 minutes long.

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Preschool Storytime

Designed for 3- to 5-year-olds and their parents or caregivers. Stories are longer than the Toddler Storytime and the activities are more complex. Children must be able to sit still for a longer period of time than during Toddler Storytime. Preschool Storytime is 30 to 45 minutes long.

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Family Storytime

Family Storytime is for all ages. It is an opportunity for parents to introduce their children to reading and language in a fun way.

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Hora de Cuentos

We offer bilingual storytimes at some of our branch libraries. Bilingual Storytime is presented in various languages and English. It is an excellent experience in both languages for monolingual and bilingual children. Please see Hora de Cuentos.

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Guidelines for Storytime

• Be playful: Please join in and show your child that storytime is fun. The time to visit with other adults is before or after storytime.
• Distractions: Arriving late is sometimes impossible to avoid, but please enter the room with as little disruption as possible. Toys and food should be put away, and phones should be turned off or set on vibrate.
• Those bad days: Remember, we all have bad days. If your child becomes upset, please step out of the room to "regroup," then quietly return.
• Those insecure days: Please be patient with your child if he or she wants to observe instead of joining in. We completely understand that for some children this will be their first group experience in the library, and that it may take a few visits for them to feel comfortable.
• Choosing a storytime: Our storytimes are geared toward specific developmental levels: baby, toddler, preschool, family. If you are not sure which one to attend, please ask your librarian which one is best for your child.
• Bring books home too: An important part of the storytime experience for children is checking out books to read or share at home. Children of any age may have their very own library card. We believe the age a child gets their own card is the parents' decision.
• Group visits: Our storytimes are designed for parents and children; arrangements for school, daycare, or other group visits larger than five need to be made in advance.

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