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.

Learn more about how storytime is the perfect skill-building activity to help your child get ready for kindergarten.

An adult must remain with babies and younger children.

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

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Storytime sessions

November–December 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 December 18, 9:30–10 a.m. (except November 27)

Belmont

Fridays through December 18, 11:15 a.m.–noon (except November 27)

Central

Saturdays through November 21, 11–11:30 a.m.

Gregory Heights

Thursdays through December 17, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except November 26)

Gresham

Tuesdays through November 24, 10:15–11 a.m.
Fridays through November 20, 10:15–11 a.m.

Hillsdale

Thursdays through December 3, 10:15–11 a.m. (except November 26)

Hollywood

Mondays through December 7, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Mondays through December 7, 3:30–4 p.m.
The storytime room is limited to 42 people. Sign-in begins 15 minutes before each program.

Midland

Tuesdays through December 15, 10:15–11 a.m.

Northwest

Thursdays through December 17, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except November 26)

Sellwood-Moreland

Mondays through November 16, 11–11:30 a.m.

St. Johns

Mondays, 10–10:45 a.m.

Woodstock

Saturdays through December 5, 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 December 17, 9:30–10 a.m. (except November 26)

Belmont

Fridays through December 18, 10:15–11 a.m. (except November 27)
Saturdays through December 19, 10:15–11 a.m. (except November 28)

Capitol Hill

Fridays through December 18, 10–10:45 a.m. (except November 27)

Central

Thursdays through November 19, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Saturdays through November 21, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Fairview-Columbia

Mondays through December 14, 10:15–11 a.m. (except November 23)

Gregory Heights

Mondays through December 14, 10:15–10:45 a.m (except November 23)
Thursdays through December 17, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except November 26)

Gresham

Mondays through November 23, 10–10:45 a.m.
Thursdays through November 19, 10–10:45 a.m.

Hillsdale

Mondays in November, 10:15–11 a.m.

Holgate

Thursdays through December 17, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except November 26)

Hollywood

Tuesdays through December 8, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Tuesdays through December 8, 3:30–4 p.m.
The storytime room is limited to 42 people. Sign-in begins 15 minutes before each program.

Midland

Wednesdays through December 16, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
Fridays through December 18, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Northwest

Thursdays through December 17, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except November 26)
Fridays through December 18, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except November 27)

Sellwood-Moreland

Fridays through November 20, 11–11:30 a.m.

St. Johns

Fridays through November 20, 11–11:30 a.m.

Woodstock

Thursdays through December 3, 9:30–10 a.m. (except November 26)
Fridays through December 4, 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 December 16, 11:30 a.m.–noon (except November 25)

Belmont

Thursdays through December 17, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except November 26)
Thursdays through December 17, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except November 26)

Capitol Hill

Thursdays through December 17, 10–10:45 a.m. (except November 26)

Central

Wednesdays through November 18, 11–11:30 a.m.

Fairview-Columbia

Thursdays through December 17, 10:15–11 a.m. (except November 26)

Gregory Heights

Fridays through December 18, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except November 27)

Gresham

Mondays through November 23, 11–11:30 a.m.
Thursdays through November 19, 11–11:30 a.m.

Hillsdale

Wednesdays through December 2, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Holgate

Mondays through December 14, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Hollywood

Thursdays through December 10, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except November 26)
Thursdays through December 10, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except November 26)
The storytime room is limited to 42 people. Sign-in begins 15 minutes before each program.

Midland

Wednesdays through December 16, 11:15–11:45 a.m.
Fridays through December 18, 11:15–11:45 a.m.

Northwest

Fridays through December 18, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except November 27)

Sellwood-Moreland

Mondays through November 16, 10–10:30 a.m.
Fridays through November 20, 10–10:30 a.m.

St. Johns

Fridays through November 20, 10–10:30 a.m.

Woodstock

Thursdays through December 3, 10:30–11 a.m. (except November 26)
Fridays through December 4, 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

Saturdays through December 19, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except November 28)

Capitol Hill

Thursdays through December 17, 11–11:45 a.m. (except November 26)

Central

Thursdays through November 19, 11–11:30 a.m.

Fairview-Columbia

Thursdays through December 17, 11:15 a.m.–noon (except November 26)

Gregory Heights

Fridays through December 18, 11:15–11:45 a.m. (except November 27)

Gresham

Tuesdays through November 24, 10:30–11 a.m.
Fridays through November 20, 10:30–11 a.m.

Hillsdale

Tuesdays through December 1, 10:15–10:45 a.m.

Holgate

Mondays through December 14, 11:15–11:45 a.m.

Hollywood

Fridays through December 11, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except November 27)
The storytime room is limited to 42 people. Sign-in begins 15 minutes before each program.

Midland

Thursdays through December 17, 10:15–10:45 a.m. (except November 26)

North Portland

Thursdays through November 19, 10:30–11 a.m.

Northwest

Thursdays through December 17, 4–4:30 p.m. (except November 26)

Sellwood-Moreland

Thursdays through November 19, 11–11:30 a.m.

Woodstock

Fridays through December 4, 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 December 18, 11–11:30 a.m. (except November 26)

Capitol Hill

Wednesday, November 18, 6–7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 16, 6–7 p.m.

Central

Fridays through November 20, 11–11:30 a.m.

North Portland

Tuesdays in November, 7–7:30 p.m.
Saturdays through November 14, 10–10:30 a.m.

Northwest

Saturdays through December 19, 11–11:30 a.m. (except November 28)

Rockwood

Thursdays through December 17, 10:30–11 a.m. (except November 26)
Saturdays through December 19, noon–12:30 p.m.

St. Johns

Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. (except December 26)

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.

Gresham

Friday, November 13, 11:30 a.m.–noon
Friday, December 11, 11:30 a.m.–noon

Woodstock

Saturday, November 21, 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.