QUESTION
What programs and accommodations do the library systems offer for toddlers and young children?
1:11:34
·
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.
