By Anthony Stanford –
All three Aurora Public Library (APL) locations and several bookmobile stops were hosts to that APL customer favorite: Storytime. Designed to promote literacy, storytimes are presented at locations such as Panera Bread, the Fire Museum, and SciTech, and offer a unique experience for children of all ages.
APL senior manager of children’s services, Dana Russell said, “These storytimes are great ways to collaborate with community organizations and businesses and build long-lasting relationships with them while providing (Aurora) area children the opportunity to attend library programs at community institutions.”
Storytime at the Fire Museum is on the third Friday of each month at 2:30 p.m. throughout the year. It is a traditional storytime with music and is appropriate for all ages.
The SciTech storytime is held on the last Thursday of every month at 10:30 a.m. during the school year. SciTech storytimes are focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, design, and math, or more commonly known as STEAM.
During the first half-hour, the library conducts a traditional storytime and during the second half-hour, SciTech does a theme based, hands-on interactive activity with participants. The SciTech storytimes are free, and for those who’d like to visit the museum after the storytime, the museum’s normal fee applies.
The bookmobile Traveling Storytime is presented at six locations during the school year. Sheri Roberts, Bookmobile services assistant, takes her Traveling Storytime on the road to specific locations on a monthly basis.
APL West Branch storytime leader Diana Kocunik described the Panera storytime and the fun that it provides for all ages by saying, “We’ve had storytime at Panera for more than five years, and it continues to be a favorite program for children and adults. Everyone thinks it’s a nice change to have storytime outside of the library.”
The storytime will run year-round Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Panera Bread, 1330 Orchard Road, and each child receives free cookie and milk to enjoy after the storytime. Storytime dates are September 10 and 24, October 8 and 22, November 5 and 19. Registration is required and space is limited to 20 kids.
There’s something for everyone and the APL invites the whole family to come and share books, rhymes, and songs.
For more information about storytime or to find all of our programs for kids, teens, and adults check the APL event calendar at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org.
Anthony Stanford is an author and Aurora Public Library media consultant.