Storytime Guidelines

What is the role of adults at story time?

An adult bringing a child to storytime must remain with children in the program itself. They are responsible for supervising their child’s behavior before, during and after storytime. Parents and caregivers can learn by watching library staff demonstrate good read-aloud skills and by being aware of the age-appropriate books, music, songs and activities staff use during story time.      

How can a parent or caregiver find a convenient story time?

Please check the calendar on our home page to find a story time appropriate for your child and convenient to your family. Space at story times is limited to 15 children to ensure a quality educational and recreational experience.

How do I sign up for storytime?

Please click on the SIGN UP HERE link on our Storytime page. Check the calendar to find out when our next day for storytime sign-ups will take place. Due to planning purposes, we cannot take sign-ups after the storytime session has begun.

What do I do if the storytime I was interested in is “full”?

If the class in which you are interested is reported as “full,” you are encouraged to attend our “drop-in” storytimes on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. These storytimes do not require pre-registration. Although they are not directed at a specific age, they still include the stories, songs, rhymes, and early learning activities typical of our other storytimes.

Why aren’t there storytimes during certain months of the year?

The Children’s Department typically takes the months of January, May, and August to spend time working on lesson plans, activities for future children’s programming, and library collection development. During those months, look for special “drop-in” storytimes and other special programs, or use the time that you might come in for storytime as a time to visit the library with your child and borrow a variety of books and other materials to share at home.

How can a parent or caregiver make the most of story time?

  • By coming to story time on a regular basis.
  • By arriving a few minutes early.
  • By paying attention to the stories and activities throughout story time.
  • By participating when encouraged to do so.
  • By not bringing food or toys to the story time.
  • By letting each child choose books and by checking them out to share at home.
  • By asking library staff for help in choosing age-appropriate books.
  • By taking an upset child out of the program area until he or she calms down.
  • By talking with your child about the stories after story time.
  • By repeating the story time rhymes and songs at home with your child.

What should I do if I need to miss a class? 

Please call the Children’s Department at (814) 536-5131 ext. 205, if you need to miss a class. If you miss two storytime classes in a row without calling, you will be bumped out of the class to make room for a family on our waiting list. You can still come to our drop-in class or sign up for the next session!

Should I come to storytime if the weather is bad?

In the event of severe weather, the Cambria County Library may close or delay opening. Please check our website and local news stations for updates. If the library is open, we will hold storytimes. Please use your discretion in determining whether or not to bring your child. If there are local school delays and/or cancellations you do not need to call to let us know that you are not coming. We will assume that you are not here due to the weather. It will not count against our two missed storytimes attendance policy. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Children’s Department at (814) 536-5131 ext. 205

 

 

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248 Main Street
Johnstown, PA 15901-1677

(814) 481-8131
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    The library will be closed March 29 in observance of Good Friday.E-Resources are available 24/7
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