Library Services
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. At Storytime, children have an opportunity to do activities that promote development and learning.
| Location | Day(s)/Time(s) | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| Dusenberry-River | Wednesdays, 11:30 am & 2:30 pm Babytime takes a break in August. It will resume Sept. 2. | More Info |
| Himmel Park | Thursdays, 1:30-2pm | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Thursdays, 2 pm Storytimes go on break beginning Monday, Aug. 17. They resume Wednesday, Sept. 2. | More Info |
| Joyner-Green Valley | Thursdays, 9am We go on summer break Aug. 5 and resume Sept. 3. | More Info |
| Kirk-Bear Canyon | Wednesdays, 3-3:30 pm Babytime will take a summer break August 1-31. They will resume September 2. | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Wednesdays, 2 pm | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | Wednesday, 2:30-3 pm Storytimes take a break in August. They resume Wednesday, September 2. | More Info |
| Nanini | Tuesdays 10:30am & Wednesdays 2:30pm Storytimes take a break beginning Monday, August 17. They resume Tuesday, September 8. | More Info |
| Oro Valley | Mondays, 10 am Babytime will take a summer break August 1-September 8. It will resume September 14. | More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Tuesdays, 10-10:45 am | More Info |
| Southwest | Tuesdays, 11:30 am | More Info |
| Valencia | Wednesdays, 11:30 am | More Info |
| Wheeler Taft Abbett | Tuesdays, 2pm | 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 | Tuesdays, 10:30 am No Storytimes beginning Monday, August 3. They resume Tuesday, September 1. | More Info |
| Eckstrom-Columbus | Thursdays, 10:15 am Storytimes go on break beginning Friday, July 31. They resume Thursday, Sept. 3. | More Info |
| Flowing Wells | Tuesdays, 9:30 am | More Info |
| Himmel Park | Thursdays, 10:30-11am | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Thursdays, 10 am Storytimes go on break beginning Monday, Aug. 17. They resume Wednesday, Sept. 2. | More Info |
| Joyner-Green Valley | Wednesdays, 9:30 am We go on summer break Aug. 5 and resume Sept. 2. | More Info |
| Kirk-Bear Canyon | Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:15-10:45 am. Storytimes will be on summer break August 1-31. They will resume September 1. | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | Wednesdays, 11-11:30 am Storytimes take a break in August. They resume Wednesday, September 2. | More Info |
| Nanini | Wednesdays 10:30am Storytime goes on summer break beginning Monday, August 17. They resume Tuesday, September 9. | More Info |
| Oro Valley | Fridays, 10 am
| More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Tuesdays, 10-10:45 am | More Info |
| Sahuarita | Thursdays, 10am Storytime will take a break Aug. 1-Sept. 8. It resumes Sept. 10. | More Info |
| Southwest | Mondays, 11:30 am | More Info |
| Wheeler Taft Abbett | Wednesdays, 10:30am | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dusenberry-River | Thursdays, 10:30 am Storytime goes on break beginning Aug. 3. It resumes Thursday, September 3. | More Info |
| Eckstrom-Columbus | Thursdays, 11-11:45am Storytimes go on break beginning Friday, July 31. They resume Thursday, Sept. 3. | More Info |
| Geasa-Marana | Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. We go on summer break Aug. 13 and resume Sept. 10. | More Info |
| Himmel Park | Fridays, 10:30am | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Wednesdays, 10:30am Storytimes go on break beginning Monday, Aug. 17. They resume Wednesday, Sept. 2. | More Info |
| Joyner-Green Valley | Wednesdays, 10:30am We go on summer break Aug. 5 and resume Sept. 2. | More Info |
| Kirk-Bear Canyon | Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11:15-11:45 am. Storytimes will be on summer break August 1-31. They will resume September 1. | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | Thursdays, 10:30-11 am Storytimes take a break in August. They resume Thursday, September 3. | More Info |
| Mission | Thursdays, 10:30 am
| More Info |
| Nanini | Thursday & Fridays, 10:30 am Storytimes go on summer break beginning Monday, Aug. 17. They resume Sept. 10 & 11. | More Info |
| Oro Valley | Tuesdays, 11:30 am Storytime will take a summer break August 1-September 7. It will resume September 8. | More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Mondays, 11-11:45 am | More Info |
| Sahuarita | Thursdays, 11am Storytime will take a break Aug. 1-Sept. 8. It will resume Sept. 10. | More Info |
| Valencia | Thursdays (Jueves), 10:30 am
| More Info |
| Valencia | Wednesdays at 10:30 am
| More Info |
| Wheeler Taft Abbett | Thursdays, 10:30am | More Info |
| Woods Memorial | Wednesdays, 10:15 am
| More Info |
Family Storytime
Family Storytime is for all ages. It is an opportunity for parents to introduce their children to reading and language in a fun way.
| Location | Day(s)/Time(s) | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| Flowing Wells | 1st Saturday of the month, 10:30 am | More Info |
| Flowing Wells | 3rd Saturday of the month, 10:30-11 am | More Info |
| Himmel Park | Wednesdays, 6:30 pm | More Info |
| Himmel Park | Saturdays, 10:30 am | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Saturdays, 11 am Storytimes go on break beginning Monday, Aug. 17. They resume Wednesday, Sept. 2. | More Info |
| Joyner-Green Valley | Click here for dates, times. We go on summer break Aug. 5 and resume Sept. 2. | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Tuesdays (Los Martes), 11am | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Saturdays, 11 am
| More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | Tuesdays, 11 am Storytimes take a break in August. They resume Tuesday, September 1. | More Info |
| Mission | Wednesdays, 4 pm | More Info |
| Nanini | Tuesdays 6:30 pm; Saturdays, 10:30 am Storytimes take a break beginning Monday, August 17. They resume Tuesday, September 8. | More Info |
| Oro Valley | Wednesdays, 10 am
| More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Wednesdays (Los miércoles), 11 am | More Info |
| Sam Lena-South Tucson | Wednesdays, 2-2:30 pm | More Info |
| Santa Rosa | Saturdays, 11 am
| More Info |
| Southwest | Wednesdays, 5:30 pm | More Info |
| Valencia | Tuesdays, 6:30pm
| More Info |
| Wheeler Taft Abbett | Saturdays, 10:30am | 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.