Preschool Story Time - Santa Rosa Libraries

If you are looking for something social and educational for your preschooler to do that doesn’t cost a penny, try Preschool Story Time at one of Santa Rosa’s or Sonoma County’s libraries. Because there are so many library branches you are sure to find a preschool story time that will fit into your schedule. Make it a weekly event to either walk or drive to the library for story time, check out a few books, and maybe even find a nearby park to have a picnic afterward. If you visit the Central Branch of the library in downtown Santa Rosa, after story time you could walk to court house square and enjoy a picnic or snack on the grass next to the water fountains.

About Story Time at the Sonoma County Libraries

Story time is not just about reading stories! The librarians engage the preschoolers in songs, finger plays and a little bit of movement (like the Hokey Pokey). The story tellers at the Downtown Santa Rosa Central Branch are all very patient and speak in a manner that the children understand. They are also available in the Children’s Area of the library after story time to help you find the perfect book or teach you how things are organized there (not by Dewey Decimal in the Children’s Area!).

Benefits of Library Story Time for Preschoolers

Preschoolers that attend Story Time are able to explore social interaction with other children their age while knowing that their parent or caregiver is close by. The environment is very casual, allowing your preschooler to either sit with the other children on the floor or to sit with you. If you have a "shy" child, this type of semi-structured time may help him/her branch out and make a few friends. When a child sees that "the other kids are doing it" they will probably want to join in the fun too!

In addition to preschool story times, the library offers other events like Pajama Story Time in the evenings (so you can take your preschooler after work), special themed events, puppet shows and more. Check out their website at www.sonomalibrary.org for locations and times. They have a calendar of events for all branches in Sonoma County.

Locations and Times:

Central Branch (Downtown Santa Rosa)- Fridays at 11am

Northwest Branch (Coddingtown Santa Rosa) - Mondays at 10:30am

Rincon Valley Branch (Rincon Valley Santa Rosa) - Wednesdays at 11:30am

Rohnert Park Branch - Wednesdays at 10:30am

Petaluma Branch - Tuesdays at 10am

Sebastopol Branch - Wednesdays at 10:30am

Windsor Branch - Tuesdays at 11:30am

Healdsburg Branch - Tuesdays at 11am

Cloverdale Branch - Tuesdays at 10:30

Sonoma Branch - Tuesdays at 11:30am