Storytime at the Library

All Lee County Library System locations offer one or more of the following storytime experiences. 

Storytime Dates and Times

See storytimes at any or all branches:

• ​Bonita Springs
• ​Cape Coral
• Captiva Memorial
• ​Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon
• East County
• ​Fort Myers
• ​Johann Fust
• ​Lakes
• ​North Fort Myers
• ​Northwest
• Pine Island
• ​Riverdale
• ​South County
• All Branches


Note: Events are best viewed using Chrome or Firefox.

Please see event details for information on registration requirements.

Special services like sign language interpretation and assistive listening can be provided at events to patrons upon request. Please give at least up to five business days notice to library staff in order to schedule services at events. Call 239-479-4636 or stop by the reference desk at your local library.

Storytime Anytime

Online Storytime Anytime!

Enjoy a prerecorded storytime at home or on the go with Online Storytime Anytime! or Bilingual Storytime Anytime! available on our YouTube channel. This is a condensed version of our in-person storytimes and includes a variety of songs, stories, rhymes and caregiver tips designed to promote and reinforce literacy and language development. A new storytime is added on the first Wednesday of the month.

Watch Storytime Anytime!

Program Descriptions
  • For children ages birth – 18 months and caregivers
  • 20 minutes

Bond with your baby and meet new friends during this special storytime that promotes social, motor and early literacy skills. Parents and caregivers wiggle and giggle with their babies to stories, music, activities and rhymes.

  • For children ages 18 - 36 months and caregivers
  • 25 minutes

Parents and caregivers move and groove with their toddlers during this interactive and high-energy storytime that uses stories, music, movement and rhymes to support language and motor skill development.

  • For children ages 3-5 years
  • 30 minutes

Your preschooler will continue to build relationships with friends and develop school readiness skills during this fun and interactive storytime that fosters independent thinking and a lifelong love of learning through reading, talking, singing, writing and playing. Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby.

  • For children ages birth - 5 years and caregivers
  • 30 minutes

This fun and engaging storytime for children and caregivers promotes and reinforces early literacy skills and language development through stories, music, movement and activities.

  • For children ages 3-12 and caregivers
  • 30 minutes

This storytime emphasizes books, music and sensory experiences designed for children with adaptive needs and their families. Using visual schedule boards, stories are told through multiple modalities and are followed by sensory activities that may include bubbles, movement and songs. The library's welcoming environment creates a positive storytime experience in a quieter environment with reduced sensory stimuli. Class size is limited to ten children, plus their parents or caregivers.

  • For children ages birth - 5 years and caregivers
  • 30 minutes

This fun and engaging storytime for children and caregivers promotes and reinforces early literacy skills and language development. Stories, music, movement and activities are shared in both English and Spanish. English or Spanish language skills are not necessary to participate in this program.

  • Edades: De 3 a 12 años y cuidadores
  • Duración: 30 minutos

Esta narración de cuento enfatiza los libros, la música y las experiencias sensoriales diseñadas para niños con necesidades adaptativas y sus familias. Usando tablas de programación visual, las historias se cuentan utilizando distintos formatos y son seguidas por actividades sensoriales que pueden incluir burbujas, movimiento y canciones. El ambiente acogedor de la biblioteca crea una experiencia positiva para la hora del cuento en un ambiente más tranquilo con estímulos sensoriales reducidos. El tamaño de la clase está limitado a diez niños, más sus padres o encargados. Este programa se provee en inglés.

  • La Hora del Cuento en Familia- ¡En español!
  • Edades: Desde recién nacidos hasta los 5 años y sus cuidadores.
  • Duración: 30 minutos

Este divertido y atractivo programa promueve y refuerza la alfabetización temprana y el desarrollo del lenguaje a través de historias, música, movimiento y actividades en inglés y español. Los padres o encargados participan con sus hijos mientras aprenden estrategias útiles de alfabetización temprana y consejos para continuar en casa. Este programa se ofrece en español.

How to have a Successful Storytime

Please show up 5-10 minutes before start time. Our storytimes are intentionally designed to provide your child with continuity and structure. Some locations require advanced registration. 
  • Food is not permitted during storytime and drinks must be covered. 
  • Toys can be distracting during storytime. Please leave them at home or in the car.
  • If your child is unsettled or distressed, exiting the room can give them the time they need to settle down without disturbing others. You are always welcome to return.
  • Children are encouraged to participate in storytime activities but it is not required. Regular attendance will help them become more familiar with the routine and feel more comfortable joining in.

Parent and Caregiver Participation

Parents and Caregivers with children.
Parent engagement during storytime is the key to success. Children are more likely to participate and enjoy storytime if their parent is as well. 

We ask that cell phones are silenced and put away during the program. Social time before and after storytime is the perfect opportunity to interact and speak with other parents and caregivers. 

About Early Literacy 

Early literacy is what a child knows about reading and writing before they can read or write. Developing language and literacy skills begins at birth through everyday interactions, such as sharing books, telling stories, singing songs and talking to one another. These skills increase a child’s success once they enter school. 

Please reach out to the youth services department for more information about storytime, early literacy or other programming and resources available for children ages birth to five. 

Child with Parents or Caregivers

Early Literacy Tips to Try Anywhere, Anytime

Storytime doesn’t stop at the library! Incorporate the early literacy strategies and tips provided in storytime into your everyday activities to help your child build a lifelong love of reading.

Early literacy is what a child knows about reading and writing before they can read or write. Developing language and literacy skills begins at birth through everyday interactions, such as sharing books, telling stories, singing songs and talking to one another. These skills increase a child’s success once they enter school. 

Parents can help their children develop skills through activities that encourage reading, writing, singing, playing and talking. Please reach out to the youth services department for more information about storytime, early literacy or other programming and resources available for children ages birth to five. 

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