Every May, the 24 locations of the Tulsa City-County Library take a break from offering Build A Reader storytimes. We know this can be distressing for your toddlers and preschoolers who love their librarians and their Tuesday (or Monday, or Thursday) morning talk-sing-read-write-play times.
But there are good reasons why we take this break!
First, we are getting ready for the Summer Reading Program, which begins on May 28 and lasts until August 3. This means visiting schools and classrooms (so many schools!) to talk directly to kids and teens to remind them to keep reading in the summer and participate in the program.
It also means receiving and organizing supplies, including summer event guides, reading logs, medals, and prizes. (There are a LOT of supplies!)
Second, while summer is a wonderful time, and we love every minute of it, it's also stressful, and we want our staff to mentally prepare for the long weeks full of fun and reading! Taking a break in May allows staff to recharge so that we can make coming to the library in the summer (including for storytimes!) as amazing as you want and expect.
- Laura Raphael, Children's Services Coordinator