The library will be closed on Sunday, March 31st for the Easter holiday. We will be open our usual hours on Friday and Saturday.

Storytime Etiquette

Wondering what to expect from storytime at the Ventress Library? We've got you covered.

Things to Know:

  1. We open doors for storytime at the time that the storytime is advertised for (ex: if you are here for a 11:00 Family Storytime, doors will open at 11:00 am on the dot). Please do not enter before the group! We do this for routine, so that kids waiting do not get too restless, and so that everyone can have the same experience of entering the storytime room.
  2. We do NOT allow food or drink in the storytime room (with the exception of drinks in sealed, spill-proof containers). If you or the children in your care need a snack, please take it to the main children's room to enjoy.
  3. Please leave toys from the main library room in the main library room during storytime--our train set does not need to attend storytime, and may be needed by other children not attending the program!
  4. Please save conversations with other adults for the playtime portion of storytime.
  5. If you arrive late, you are still welcome to attend a storytime program. If entering after a program has started, please be as respectful and as quiet as possible.
  6. Please silence and put away your cell phones before the program begins so that they will not be a disruption. We do not allow phone conversations during storytime, and would ask you to keep texting/silent phone usage to a minimum as well. If you must take a phone call, take it out to the lobby.
  7. We expect parents and caregivers to engage with the children in their care and with the songs and fingerplays we do in storytime. Participating is the best way to get children to engage!
  8. It is completely fine and natural for younger children to have a hard time staying still in a storytime. They are welcome to stand up, move around, and babble quietly--it comes with the territory! However, please keep them away from the baby gates, the personal space of other children and adults, and from the storytime presenter's books and other materials.
  9. If your child is agitated or unable to stop crying for over a minute, consider taking them out of the storytime. You are always welcome to re-enter the program if/when their mood improves.
  10. Our family storytimes and songtimes will generally have a playtime after the storytime. Please monitor your children while playing (and even play alongside them!) to ensure their safety and the safety of children around them.

We are excited to have you at storytime! We understand that storytime can be a big learning curve for little ones just starting to attend, and want to make it a positive experience! If you have any concerns about what to expect, how to prepare, or how to help make storytime a positive experience for your little ones, please reach out!


What to Expect From Programs for Children Attending On Their Own

We have a few storytimes that are just for kids without their caregivers. Wondering what to expect? Here are the basics:

  1. We offer these storytimes as a learning opportunity for kids! We want them to have the developmentally appropriate opportunity to try out activities by themselves.
  2. We expect caregivers to stay within the confines of the library while the storytime is going on. Sometimes storytimes end early, or children get sick or have an off day--in these cases, we need to immediately be able to locate a caregiver. You can wander between the adult section and the children's section--we just need to be able to easily find you.
  3. Generally, we will read stories, and then do an art, craft, or science activity. While we do our best to be totally neat, sometimes the activities can get messy. Please plan accordingly.
  4. We do ask for registration for these storytimes both so that we can prepare our art and craft supplies and so that we can best plan for the activities!
  5. Please do ensure that your child is the appropriate age for the program they are attending before signing them up--we offer many flexible and all-ages programs, but these ones are specifically for the ages advertised. We have spent a lot of time planning programs that meet the social and developmental needs of children of these ages--please help us to ensure that our programs can meet our goals and be a fun and safe experience for everyone involved!

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out! We are happy to explain how these storytimes work and best prepare you and the children in your care for attending!