Parents and caregivers can drop in at their neighborhood libraries for a DIY storytime through Jan. 4 to practice reading and playing together at their own pace.
This do-it-yourself early literacy program includes themed books, props and activities that allow families to create a unique storytime experience with their baby, toddler or preschooler. It is a great way for you and your family to bring stories to life and have fun together at the library.
DIY storytime materials will be set up in the children’s section of the library from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. during each location’s normal storytime programming slot:
- Tuesdays at Algiers Regional, 3014 Holiday Drive; East New Orleans Regional, 5641 Read Blvd.; Latter, 5120 St. Charles Ave.; Norman Mayer, 3001 Gentilly Blvd.; Smith, 6301 Canal Blvd.; and Main, 219 Loyola Ave.
- Wednesdays at Alvar, 913 Alvar St.; Children’s Resource Center, 913 Napoleon Ave.; and Nix, 1401 S. Carrollton Ave.
- Thursdays at Hubbell, 725 Pelican Ave.; Mid-City, 4140 Canal St; and Keller, 4300 S. Broad St.
The materials will also be available from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays at Nora Navra, 1902 St. Bernard Ave., and Thursdays at Martin Luther King Jr., 1611 Fats Domino Ave.
FREE FUN: Looking for something free and fun to do with your kids during their holiday break? The library has dozens of events for youth of all ages every week.
Teens between 11 and 18 can stop by Rosa Keller Library, 4300 S. Broad St., from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 27 to play board games and make new friends.
Or, if video games are more their style, try out Algiers Regional Library’s "Teen Drop In: Video Game Hour" on Dec. 28 at 4:30 p.m. In addition to games, there will be other activities, games and snacks at the library, 3014 Holiday Drive.
On Jan. 2, teens can embrace their creativity at Keller Library’s Teen STEAM program. Kids ages 11-18 can stop by between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to get ready for an environmentally friendly Mardi Gras by making their very own paper beads. The library is at 4300 S. Broad St.
For children aged 6-12, the library’s Activate STEAM Afternoon is a great way to get out of the house and engage with learning during school break.
Alvar Library, 913 Alvar St., will host a cardboard construction site craft at 4 p.m. on Dec. 27. On Dec. 28 at Latter Library, 5120 St. Charles Ave., kids can learn to make their own cards and gifts.
At Smith Library’s Art Smarts program on Jan. 2, children will celebrate the work of Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich. Make art, learn about important artists throughout history and hang out with other kids. Registration is required; visit events.nolalibrary.org to sign up. Art Smarts is an hour long and starts at 4 p.m. The library is at 6301 Canal Blvd.
HOLIDAY CLOSURE: All library locations will be closed on Dec. 29 and Jan. 1 in observance of the New Year holidays. To access the library anytime, anywhere, download the NOLALibrary app or visit e-resources.nolalibrary.org to explore all the digital and electronic resources a New Orleans Public Library card unlocks.
Jane LeGros is the director of marketing and communications for the Orleans Parish Library.