Storytimes & Events
Family Literacy & Education Programs - Storytime
Read to a Dog
Pima County Public Library invites you to come read to a dog. Find out more!
Calendar of Events
On this page:
Check the Calendar of Events for Storytimes at your local library, or use the lists below.
Online Storytimes with TumbleBooks!
An easy-to-use collection of animated, talking picture books -- plus read alongs, puzzles and games.
What is Storytime?
Storytime is a free service of the Pima County Public Library. It is an opportunity for parents to introduce their children to reading and language in a fun way. At Storytime, children have an opportunity to do activities that promote development and learning. All programs are designed for parents to participate with their children; arrangements for school, daycare, or other group visits need to be made in advance.
Babytime
Designed for babies up to 18 months of age.
| Location | Day(s)/Time(s) | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| Dusenberry-River | There will be no Storytimes in August. Wednesdays, 2:30-3 p.m. |
More Info |
| Geasa-Marana | There will be no Storytimes August 22 & 29. Fridays, 1-2 p.m. |
More Info |
| Himmel Park | Thursdays, 1:30-2pm | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Thursdays, 2pm | More Info |
| Kirk-Bear Canyon | There will be no Storytimes in August. Wednesdays, 3-3:30 pm |
More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Wednesdays, 2 pm | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | Wednesdays, 2:30-3 pm | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | There will be no Storytimes in August. Wednesdays, 2:30-3 pm |
More Info |
| Murphy-Wilmot | Tuesdays, 2:30-3 p.m. | More Info |
| Nanini | Tuesdays 10:30 am & Wednesdays 2:30 pm | More Info |
| Oro Valley | There will be no Storytimes in August. Mondays, 10 am |
More Info |
| Valencia | Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. | More Info |
| Woods Memorial | Thursdays, 10 am | More Info |
Toddler Storytime
Designed for children 18- to 36-months-old. Parents/caregivers and children interact through stories, songs, and rhymes. Stories are kept short to fit the toddlers' short attention spans. Each Toddler storytime is 20 to 30 minutes long.
| Location | Day(s)/Time(s) | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| Dusenberry-River | There will be no Storytimes in August. Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. |
More Info |
| Eckstrom-Columbus | There will be no Storytimes in August. Thursdays, 10:15-10:45am |
More Info |
| Himmel Park | Thursdays, 10:30-11am | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Thursdays, 10am | More Info |
| Kirk-Bear Canyon | There will be no Storytimes in August. Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:15-10:45am |
More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | There will be no Storytimes in August. Wednesdays, 11-11:30 am |
More Info |
| Murphy-Wilmot | Tuesdays, 10:15-10:45 a.m. | More Info |
| Nanini | No meetings on Thursdays May 15-August 7. Wednesdays 10:30 am & Thursdays 9:15 am |
More Info |
| Oro Valley | There will be no Storytimes in August. Fridays, 10 am |
More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Tuesdays, 10-10:45 am | More Info |
| Woods Memorial | Thursdays, 11 am | More Info |
Preschool Storytime
Designed for 3- to 5-year-olds and their parents or caregivers. Stories are longer than the Toddler Storytime and the activities are more complex. Children must be able to sit still for a longer period of time than during Toddler Storytime. Preschool Storytime is 30 to 45 minutes long.
| Location | Day(s)/Time(s) | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| Dewhirst-Catalina | Look for Summer Reading Programs in place of Storytimes in June. Fridays, 10:30-11:15 am |
More Info |
| Dusenberry-River | There will be no Storytimes in August. Thursdays, 10:30-11:15 a.m. |
More Info |
| Eckstrom-Columbus | There will be no Storytimes in August. Thursdays, 11-11:45am |
More Info |
| El Rio | Tuesdays, 9:30 am | More Info |
| Geasa-Marana | There will be no Storytimes on August 21 and 28. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. |
More Info |
| Himmel Park | Fridays, 10:30 am | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Wednesdays, 10:30am | More Info |
| Kirk-Bear Canyon | There will be no Storytimes in August. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11:15-11:45 a.m. |
More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | There will be no Storytimes in August. Thursdays, 10:30-11 am |
More Info |
| Mission | Thursdays (Jueves), 10:30am | More Info |
| Nanini | Thursday & Fridays, 10:30 am | More Info |
| Oro Valley | There will be no Storytimes in August. Tuesdays, 11:30 am |
More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Tuesdays, 11-11:45 am | More Info |
| Valencia | Thursdays (Jueves), 10:30 am | More Info |
| Valencia | Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. | More Info |
| Woods Memorial | Wednesdays, 10:15 am | More Info |
Family Storytime
Family Storytime is for all ages.
| Location | Day(s)/Time(s) | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| Caviglia-Arivaca | Wednesdays, 11:30am-12:30pm | More Info |
| Himmel Park | Wednesdays, 6:30 pm | More Info |
| Himmel Park | Saturdays, 10:30 am | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Saturdays, 11am | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Saturdays, 11am | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Tuesdays (Los Martes), 11am | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | There will be no Storytimes in August. Tuesdays, 6:30-7 pm |
More Info |
| Mission | Wednesdays, 4 pm | More Info |
| Murphy-Wilmot | Wednesdays & Fridays, 10:15 am | More Info |
| Nanini | Tuesdays, 6:30pm | More Info |
| Nanini | Saturdays, 10:30 am | More Info |
| Nanini | Meets only May 15-August 7 Thursdays, 9:30-10 am |
More Info |
| Oro Valley | There will be no Storytimes in August. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. |
More Info |
| Oro Valley | 3rd Saturday, 11-11:30 am | More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Wednesdays (Los miércoles), 11 am | More Info |
| Sam Lena-South Tucson | Wednesdays, 4-4:45 pm | More Info |
| Valencia | Tuesdays, 6:30pm | More Info |
| Woods Memorial | Saturdays, 10 am | More Info |
Hora de Cuentos
We offer bilingual storytimes at some of our branch libraries. Bilingual Storytime is presented in various languages and English. It is an excellent experience in both languages for monolingual and bilingual children. Please see Hora de Cuentos.
Guidelines for Storytime
- Be playful: Please join in and show your child that storytime is fun. The time to visit with other adults is before or after storytime.
- Distractions: Arriving late is sometimes impossible to avoid, but please enter the room with as little disruption as possible. Toys and food should be put away, and phones should be turned off or set on vibrate.
- Those bad days: Remember, we all have bad days. If your child becomes upset, please step out of the room to "regroup," then quietly return.
- Those insecure days: Please be patient with your child if he or she wants to observe instead of joining in. We completely understand that for some children this will be their first group experience in the library, and that it may take a few visits for them to feel comfortable.
- Choosing a storytime: Our storytimes are geared toward specific developmental levels: baby, toddler, preschool, family. If you are not sure which one to attend, please ask your librarian which one is best for your child.
- Bring books home too: An important part of the storytime experience for children is checking out books to read or share at home. Children of any age may have their very own library card. We believe the age a child gets their own card is the parents' decision.
- Group visits: Our storytimes are designed for parents and children; arrangements for school, daycare, or other group visits larger than five need to be made in advance.
Telephone Storytimes
The library also offers a free recorded storytime over the telephone:
- Tell-A-Tale (English), 791-4327
- Cuenta-un-cuento (Español), 791-3277
A great opportunity for parents to introduce their children to reading and language in a fun way.