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.
Read how Storytime can help you and your children get ready for school in School Library Journal.
Make the most of your family's visit to the library
Thank you for bringing your child to the Pima County Public Library and providing them with an opportunity to fall in love with books and reading. Here are some tips to help make your visit as enjoyable and stress free as possible.
Please:
- Read softly to your child/children while in the children's area.
- Help your child/children to select books, CDs, DVDs, or magazines. Leave any they decide not to check out on a table for library staff to put away.
- Encourage your child to walk while in the library, for their safety and the safety of others.
- Guide your child in proper use of library furniture, computers and other resources.
- Ask if there is a designated area for food before sharing snacks with your child.
- Take your child out of the library if they become upset and disruptive. Feel free to return once they have calmed down.
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 | More Info |
| Himmel Park | Thursdays, 1:30-2pm | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Thursdays, 2 pm | More Info |
| Joyner-Green Valley | Thursdays/jueves, 10am | More Info |
| Kirk-Bear Canyon | Wednesdays, 3-3:30 pm | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Wednesdays, 2 pm Storytimes will take a Holiday Break beginning Sunday, Dec. 20 and will resume Tuesday, Jan. 5. | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | Wednesday, 2:30-3 pm | More Info |
| Murphy-Wilmot | Wednesdays, 10:30 am | More Info |
| Nanini | Tuesdays 10:30am & Wednesdays 2:30pm Storytimes will take a Holiday break beginning Tuesday, December 22 and will resume Tuesday, January 5. | More Info |
| Oro Valley | Mondays, 10 am Babytime will go on Holiday Break beginning Monday, Dec. 14 and will resume Monday, Jan. 4. | More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Tuesdays, 10-10:45 am | More Info |
| Southwest | Tuesdays, 11:30 am | More Info |
| Valencia | Wednesdays, 11:30 am
Storytimes will take a Holiday Break beginning Sunday, Dec. 20, and will resume Tuesday, Jan. 5. | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Eckstrom-Columbus | Thursdays, 10:15 am Storytimes will take a Holiday Break beginning Thursday, Dec. 24 and will resume Monday, Jan. 4. | More Info |
| Flowing Wells | Tuesdays, 9:30 am Storytimes will take a Holiday break beginning Tuesday, Dec. 22 and resume Tues., Jan. 5. | More Info |
| Himmel Park | Thursdays, 10:30-11am | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Thursdays, 10 am | More Info |
| Joyner-Green Valley | Wednesdays/ Miércoles, 9:30 am | More Info |
| Kirk-Bear Canyon | Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:15-10:45 am There will be no Storytime Tuesday, Nov. 3 due to the General Election. | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am Storytimes will take a Holiday Break beginning Sunday, Dec. 20 and will resume Tuesday, Jan. 5. | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | Wednesdays, 11-11:30 am | More Info |
| Murphy-Wilmot | Tuesdays, 10:30 am | More Info |
| Nanini | Wednesdays 10:30am Storytimes will take a Holiday break beginning Tuesday, December 22 and will resume Tuesday, January 5. | More Info |
| Oro Valley | Fridays, 10 am Storytime will go on Holiday Break beginning Friday, Dec. 18 and will resume Friday, Jan. 8. | More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Tuesdays, 10-10:45 am | More Info |
| Sahuarita | Thursdays/jueves, 10:15am | 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, 10:30am | More Info |
| Eckstrom-Columbus | Thursdays, 11-11:45am Storytimes will take a Holiday Break beginning Thursday, Dec. 24 and will resume Monday, Jan. 4. | More Info |
| Geasa-Marana | Thursdays, 10:30 am Storytimes take a Holiday break beginning Thursday, Dec. 24 and resume Thursday, Jan. 7. | More Info |
| Himmel Park | Fridays, 10:30am | More Info |
| Joel D Valdez Main | Wednesdays, 10:30am | More Info |
| Joyner-Green Valley | Wednesdays, 10:30am/ Miercoles, 10:30am | More Info |
| Kirk-Bear Canyon | Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11:15-11:45 am There will be no Storytime Tuesday, Nov. 3 due to the General Election. | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Thursdays, 11am-12 noon Storytimes will take a Holiday Break beginning Sunday, Dec. 20 and will resume Tuesday, Jan. 5. | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | Thursdays, 10:30-11 am | More Info |
| Mission | Thursdays, 10:30 am | More Info |
| Murphy-Wilmot | Fridays, 10:30 am | More Info |
| Nanini | Thursday & Fridays, 10:30 am Storytimes will take a Holiday break beginning Tuesday, December 22 and will resume Tuesday, January 5. | More Info |
| Oro Valley | Tuesdays, 11:30 am Storytime will go on Holiday Break beginning Tuesday, Dec. 15, and will resume Tuesday, Jan. 5. | More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Mondays, 11-11:45 am | More Info |
| Sahuarita | Thursdays/jueves, 11am | More Info |
| Valencia | Thursdays (Jueves), 10:30 am
Storytimes will take a Holiday Break beginning Sunday, Dec. 20, and will resume Tuesday, Jan. 5. No habrá horas de cuentos diciembre 20 hasta enero 2. Las horas de cuentos resumen el 5 de enero. | More Info |
| Valencia | Wednesdays at 10:30 am Storytimes will take a Holiday Break beginning Sunday, Dec. 20, and will resume Tuesday, Jan. 5. | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Eckstrom-Columbus | Click here for dates & times Storytimes will take a Holiday Break beginning Thursday, Dec. 24 and will resume Monday, Jan. 4. | More Info |
| Flowing Wells | 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month, 10:30 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 | More Info |
| Joyner-Green Valley | 2nd Tuesday of the month/ Segundo martes del mes, 6 pm | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Martes, 11 am; Tuesdays, 11 am No habra hora de cuentos el 20 de diciembre hasta 5 de enero. Storytimes will go on Holiday break Dec. 20 and resume Jan. 5. | More Info |
| Martha Cooper | Saturdays, 11 am
Storytimes will go on Holiday break Sun., Dec. 20 and resume Tues., Jan. 5 | More Info |
| Miller-Golf Links | Thursdays, 2:30-3 pm | More Info |
| Mission | Wednesdays, 2:30 pm | More Info |
| Murphy-Wilmot | Mondays, 6:45 pm | More Info |
| Nanini | Tuesdays 6:30 pm; Saturdays, 10:30 am Storytimes will take a Holiday break beginning Tuesday, December 22 and will resume Tuesday, January 5. | More Info |
| Oro Valley | Wednesdays, 10 am Storytime will go on Holiday Break beginning Wednesday, Dec. 16 and will resume Wednesday, Jan. 6. | More Info |
| Quincie Douglas | Wednesdays (Los miércoles), 11 am | More Info |
| Santa Rosa | Saturdays, 11 am | More Info |
| Southwest | Wednesdays, 5:30 pm | More Info |
| Valencia | Tuesdays, 6:30pm
Storytimes will take a Holiday Break beginning Sunday, Dec. 20, and will resume Tuesday, Jan. 5. | 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.