Guest Column

For parents and kids, the library's a valuable asset

By CAITLYN CARPENTER
Published July 26, 2007

The Hernando County Public Library System offers many services that can be great resources for parents.

Two of these services are Toddler Time (for children 18 to 35 months old) and Storytime (for children 3 to 5 years old). Both are offered as free programs and are conveniently scheduled in the mornings. The programs have always been a big hit with the under-6 crowd.

Toddler Time introduces young children to the library and age-appropriate books in an entertaining and enriching manner. It provides the child with an opportunity to learn new words, be exposed to new concepts and interact with new friends in a group experience. Toddler Time acquaints children with a wide range of library materials and resources.

Each weekly Toddler Time session is approximately 25 minutes in length. Sessions are theme-based and may include flannel board stories, finger plays, singing, poetry, creative dramatics, puppetry and crafts.

A caregiver is required to attend the program with the child. Parents and children are encouraged to extend the magic of Toddler Time by borrowing library materials and sharing Toddler Time finger plays, stories, songs and experiences with family and friends at home.

To ensure adequate seating and to provide an effective program, registration is required and must be done in person at the library. For registration details, please call library program staff at 540-6391.

Storytime is geared for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds who are able to participate positively in a group experience. It provides children with an opportunity to learn new words, be exposed to new concepts and interact with new friends in a group experience.

Each weekly Storytime session is approximately 45 minutes in length. As with Toddler Time, Storytime sessions are theme-based and may include flannel board stories, finger plays, singing, poetry, creative dramatics, puppetry and crafts.

No registration is required for Storytime. Although the parent/caregiver is not required to attend Storytime with the child, the person must remain on library premises.

Both Toddler Time and Storytime are led by a very animated storyteller who uses various materials to bring the stories to life. Some of the themes of the programs are "Families," "ABC's," "Manners" and "The Zoo." A flier with the weekly schedule and program themes is available at every branch and on the library's Web site.

The library is a great resource for parents and children. In addition to a vast collection of children's books, videos, DVDs and audio-books, the Hernando County Public Library System presents many useful programs that can be beneficial to young children by creating and sustaining a lifelong love of books, and introducing them to the joys of reading.

If you would like more information about Toddler Time, Storytime or any of the library's other programs, please call 540-6391 or check out the library's Web site at www.hcpl.lib.fl.us.

Caitlyn Carpenter is a library information specialist for the Hernando County Public Library System.

[Last modified July 25, 2007, 20:40:20]