Storytimes

librarian reading a story - photo by Barrett Rudich librarian reading a story

Introduce young children to books and reading at our fun storytimes. Each week, librarians and specially trained staff adapt stories, songs, and movement activities to match the ages and attention spans of the children attending. Parents learn how to foster early literacy skills to prepare their children for learning to read. Librarians answer questions about books and library services, and teach parents how to interest their children in books. An adult must remain with babies and younger children.

Space at storytimes is limited. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Español

Storytime sessions

July–August 2009

Book Babies
Tiny Tots

Toddler
Preschool

Family
Sensory

Chinese
Spanish

Vietnamese
Pajama Time

Story Stop

Book Babies

Babies from birth to 12 months (with a favorite adult) enjoy songs, action rhymes, and playtime and share a book together in each lively Book Babies session. Book Babies gives your baby the opportunity to hear lots of language while you get to know other young families.

Albina

Fridays through July 24, 9:30–10 a.m.
Fridays beginning August 21, 9:30–10 a.m.

Belmont

Fridays, 11:15 a.m.–noon

Central

Saturdays through August 1, 11–11:30 a.m. (except July 4)

Gregory Heights

Thursdays, 11:15–11:45 a.m.

Gresham

Tuesdays through August 4, 10:15–11 a.m.
Fridays through August 7, 10:15–11 a.m.

Hillsdale

Thursdays in July, 10:15–11 a.m.

Hollywood

Mondays, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Mondays, 3:30–4 p.m.
The storytime room is limited to 42 people. Sign-in begins 15 minutes before each program.

Midland

Tuesdays, 10:15–11 a.m.

Northwest

Thursdays, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except July 2)

Sellwood-Moreland

Mondays in July, 11–11:30 a.m.

St. Johns

Mondays beginning July 13, 10–10:45 a.m.

Woodstock

Saturdays through August 8, 10:30–11 a.m.

Tiny Tots

One-year-olds (with a favorite adult) enjoy songs, movement activities, rhymes, books and playtime. This action-packed program engages new walkers in language-based activities.

Albina

Thursdays through July 23, 9:30–10 a.m.
Thursdays beginning August 20, 9:30–10 a.m.

Belmont

Fridays, 10:15–11 a.m.
Saturdays, 10:15–11 a.m. (except July 4)

Capitol Hill

Fridays, 10–11 a.m. (except July 3)

Central

Thursdays in July, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Saturdays through August 1, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except July 4)

Fairview-Columbia

Mondays through August 17, 10:15–11 a.m.

Gregory Heights

Mondays, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except August 3)
Thursdays, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Gresham

Mondays through August 3, 10–10:45 a.m.
Thursdays through August 6, 10–10:45 a.m.

Hillsdale

Mondays in July, 10:15–11 a.m.

Holgate

Thursdays through August 20, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Hollywood

Tuesdays, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Tuesdays, 3:30–4 p.m.
The storytime room is limited to 42 people. Sign-in begins 15 minutes before each program.

Midland

Wednesdays, 10:15–11 a.m.
Fridays, 10:15–11 a.m.

Northwest

Thursdays, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except July 2)
Fridays, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except July 3)

Sellwood-Moreland

Fridays in July, 11–11:30 a.m.

St. Johns

Fridays in July, 11–11:30 a.m.

Woodstock

Thursdays through August 6, 9:30–10 a.m.
Fridays through August 7, 3–3:30 p.m.

Toddler Storytime

Two-year-olds (with a favorite adult) enjoy interactive stories songs and games that encourage their emerging language skills.

Albina

Wednesdays through July 22, 11:30 a.m.–noon
Wednesdays beginning August 19, 11:30 a.m.–noon

Belmont

Thursdays, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Capitol Hill

Thursdays, 10–11 a.m. (except July 2)

Central

Wednesdays in July, 11–11:30 a.m.

Fairview-Columbia

Thursdays through August 20, 10:15–11 a.m.

Gregory Heights

Fridays, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except July 3)

Gresham

Mondays through August 3, 11–11:30 a.m.
Thursdays through August 6, 11–11:30 a.m.

Hillsdale

Wednesdays in July, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Holgate

Mondays through August 17, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Hollywood

Thursdays, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Thursdays, 3:30–4 p.m.
The storytime room is limited to 42 people. Sign-in begins 15 minutes before each program.

Midland

Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m.–noon
Fridays, 11:15 a.m.–noon

Northwest

Fridays, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except July 3)

Sellwood-Moreland

Mondays in July, 10–10:30 a.m.
Fridays in July, 10–10:30 a.m.

St. Johns

Fridays in July, 10–10:30 a.m.

Woodstock

Thursdays through August 6, 10:30–11 a.m.
Fridays through August 7, 9:30–10 a.m.

Preschool Storytime

Children from ages 3 to 6 (with a favorite adult) have fun with engaging books, songs and activities as they build their early literacy skills.

Belmont

Thursdays, 11:15–11:45 a.m.

Capitol Hill

Thursdays, 11 a.m.–noon (except July 2)

Central

Thursdays in July, 11–11:30 a.m.

Fairview-Columbia

Thursdays through August 20, 11:15 a.m.–noon

Gregory Heights

Fridays, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except July 3)

Gresham

Tuesdays through August 4, 10:30–11:15 a.m.
Fridays through August 7, 10:30–11:15 a.m.

Hillsdale

Tuesdays in July, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Holgate

Mondays through August 17, 11:15–11:45 a.m.

Hollywood

Fridays, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
The storytime room is limited to 42 people. Sign-in begins 15 minutes before each program.

Midland

Thursdays, 10:15–11 a.m.

North Portland

Thursdays in July, 10:30–11 a.m.

Northwest

Thursdays, 4–4:30 p.m. (except July 2)

Sellwood-Moreland

Thursdays in July, 11–11:30 a.m.

Woodstock

Fridays through August 7, 10:30–11 a.m.

Family Storytime

Children from birth to age 6 (with a favorite adult) enjoy books, songs, rhymes and movement activities while building language and literacy skills.

Albina

Fridays through July 24, 11–11:30 a.m.
Fridays beginning August 21, 11–11:30 a.m.

Belmont

Saturdays, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except July 4)

Central

Fridays in July, 11–11:30 a.m.

Hillsdale

Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m.–noon

North Portland

Tuesdays in July, 7–7:30 p.m.
Saturdays in July, 10–10:30 a.m. (except July 4)

Northwest

Saturdays, 11–11:30 a.m. (except July 4)

Rockwood

Thursdays, 10:30–11 a.m.
Saturdays, noon–12:30 p.m. (except July 4)
Tuesday, July 7, 6–6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 4, 6–6:30 p.m.

St. Johns

Saturdays beginning July 18, 11:30 a.m.–noon

Sensory Storytime

This storytime, which is open to all preschoolers, is especially geared to children with sensory integration issues. If your child has difficulty sitting through one of the library's other storytimes, this program of stories, songs and activities may be just what you are looking for. We encourage you to talk with the youth librarian before attending, so she can learn more about your child and alert you to procedures that help the library cope with room capacity issues. Ellen Fader, Youth Services Coordinator, welcomes your comments and suggestions about this storytime at 503.988.5408.

Woodstock

Saturday, July 18, 9:30–10 a.m.

Can't Sit Still Storytime

Is your child always on the go? The pitter-patter of little feet just won't stop? Quiet listening not an option? Some children just can't stop moving and making noise. Our noisy and interactive program is designed just for them. For children ages 3 years and older with adult.