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Storytime at the Richmond library

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 12:19 PDT, Wed April 29, 2020

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

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Now more than ever, reading to your young child is important. And if you’ve ever attended a Storytime at Richmond Public Library, then you’ve experienced the many benefits of reading aloud to and with children.

During Storytime sessions, skilled and thoughtful library staff demonstrate different ways that parents can help their child connect with books and develop early literacy skills. While children are laughing and singing, they are also learning valuable reading skills and setting themselves up for future success. Meanwhile, parents are learning valuable tips on how to select and use age-appropriate reading materials, as well as how to read aloud to their young children in an engaging way. Did you know that singing slows our speech down, helping children to practice saying the words?

While the branches are closed, the library is adapting to serve changing community needs.

This includes providing virtual Storytime to the community via Facebook Live. While virtual Storytime can’t replace the in-person experience of sharing stories at the library, we are committed to bringing Storytime into the homes of our community. As an added bonus, Storytimes can be viewed from anywhere.

Today, the library is introducing two its virtual Storytime staff, Chelsea and Geneviève.

Chelsea is a library technician at the Steveston branch, who enjoys meeting new families at Storytimes and Babytimes each week.

“I miss seeing all the families coming in full of excitement for the songs and stories to come,” says Chelsea. “For online Storytimes, there is still the opportunity for socializing through interaction with the live stream. Library staff are asking questions throughout and really engaging with the stories and songs, hopefully providing an inviting space for children and caregivers to engage as well.”

Geneviève is a children’s librarian at the Brighouse branch, who is passionate about supporting families with babies and young children.

“The thing I miss most about doing Storytime at the library is, of course, the children,” says Geneviève. “I love reading a book that really gets their creative juices flowing so that they are inspired to bring some great books home to read with their families.” She encourages all families to add online Storytime to their day. “Since everyone learns differently, we explore different kinds of stories, rhymes, songs and movement to create a diverse and impactful online Storytime.”

Hundreds of families are tuning in to view and enjoy RPL’s Storytime @ Home every week. Come online and experience Storytime for yourself! There’s no registration required, just join us weekdays at 10:00am live on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/yourlibraryRichmond/. Thanks to technology, each day’s Storytime video is available for 24 hours so families can watch together at their convenience. The library will be offering online Babytimes on Mondays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. Join us on Facebook Live from home with your baby for stories, rhymes and even a little wiggling and tickling. You and your baby will be delighted by this online program opportunity!

Don’t have young ones at home? The Library also offers a wide variety of programs to suit all ages and are continually adding new programs to its online schedule. To visit the current online program schedule, click.