Storytime at St. Charles Parish libraries will resume next week after a two week break. A weekly program designed for kids 5 and under who are accompanied by a caregiver, Storytime invites kids to listen to a story, dance to music and sing songs together. Kids are sometimes guided through a simple craft as well.
Each week’s Storytime has a different theme, and unstructured play time at the end of Storytime gives kids and adults a chance to socialize with other attendees. No sign up is required to attend Storytime, which begins at 10:30 a.m.
Youth Services Librarian Lesley Campbell said Storytime promotes early literacy and a love of reading that continues well beyond Storytime years.
“Children are able to explore new stories and worlds by being offered a variety of books each week,” she said. “They learn important phonics and reading skills that will help them develop reading competencies when they’re older.”
Campbell said meaningful connections are made between the caregivers as well as between the children themselves.
Storytime has a long tradition at the library, and was founded in 1955. In November of that year, the library hosted a story hour open to all children of the parish. Charlotte Gaylord, who was the parish librarian at the time, told the St. Charles Herald in November 1955 that she hoped story hour would become a regular part of the library service to the children and adults of the parish.
Storytime Schedule
10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: East Regional Library in Destrehan & Paradis Branch
10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: West Regional Library in Luling
10:30 a.m. Thursdays: Hahnville Branch & Norco Branch
10:30 a.m. Fridays: St. Rose Branch
