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QUESTION

What programs and accommodations do the library systems offer for toddlers and young children?

1:11:34

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116 sec

The library systems confirm the availability of early childhood programs like story hours that attract around a million visits per year. The programs provide a foundation for early literacy development, exciting children about reading and equipping parents/caregivers with teaching resources.

The libraries offer designated programs and accommodations for children aged 0-5 years old.
Story hours are a core offering where children gather for read-alouds and book exploration.
Parents/caregivers learn techniques for encouraging reading and can enroll in education programs on-site.
Libraries provide amenities like stroller parking to facilitate participation in the toddler programs.

Carlina Rivera

1:11:34

Do the systems offer toddler programs asking for a friend.

Tony Marx

1:11:37

Mhmm.

1:11:39

Absolutely.

1:11:40

Our our, you know, our early childhood story hours are are I think we were, I know, at roughly a million visits to those a year.

1:11:49

I think we're coming back towards those numbers, post pandemic.

1:11:54

You know, in you know, they are the essential sort of first foundation block where parents and caregivers have a place to go.

1:12:03

They learn how to teach reading.

1:12:05

The students get excited to buy reading and buy being with other students who are reading.

1:12:11

They grab books on the way out, often the caregivers or the parents sign up for education programs while they're there for story hours.

1:12:20

That is foundational.

1:12:22

We love our story hours.

1:12:24

The idea that if we have branches closed, we can't offer those.

1:12:29

Is just unthinkable.

Linda Johnson

1:12:31

Yeah.

1:12:32

I mean, obviously, services 0 to 5 are are bread and butter.

1:12:37

We even have stroller parking if your friend might be worried about what to do with their stroller while her kids are in story hour.

1:12:46

We haven't gotten to know anything yet.

Dennis Walcott

1:12:48

So so funny, you should say that, Tony, because, yes, we do to answer your question.

1:12:53

No.

1:12:53

I I thought of that idea.

1:12:55

The folks behind me know that I have that crazy idea.

1:12:58

There's one library in particular.

1:13:00

Where the strollers are lined up all the way.

1:13:03

And I said someone whose entrepreneurial could really make a lot of money they wanted to have valet parking destroyers.

1:13:10

Yes to your question, and we pride ourselves in that.

1:13:14

Let me my mental sanity is directly correlated to the number of strollers I see outside our door.

1:13:22

Plain and simple because you know what's taking place at those hours.

1:13:26

And that to me is the bread and butter of what we do.

1:13:29

So, yes, we do.

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