SENSEational Storytime Begins in January
Mariah Smitala, HPL’s Youth Services Librarian, began the process of adding a sensory-friendly storytime to the Hedberg Public Library calendar in 2019. She attended webinars, visited other libraries to attend their sensory storytimes, and did a lot of research. Finally, in spring of 2020, the Children’s Room was ready to launch the new program. Alas, the world had other plans. The library canceled all programming due to COVID-19 on the day the team was meant to host its first-ever sensory-friendly storytime, and shut down all together the following day. “It was devastating to put this program on hold,” said Smitala. “But now, nearly five years later, it is finally time to introduce it to our families!”
On the first Friday of the new year, January 3, HPL will host its first SENSEational Storytime. This sensory-friendly program has been thoughtfully designed with our neurodivergent patrons and those who have sensory processing needs in mind, but all are welcome. The storytime begins at 9:45 am with a 15-minute playtime in the HPL Program Room. After putting the toys down for a nap, attendees will make their way to their individual floor seat for 30 minutes of rhymes, songs, and—of course—stories. Those in need of extra stimulation can grab a fidget or two to use during the storytime and those that benefit from lower stimulation will appreciate a program without bright screens or loud music. All attendees will benefit from a visual schedule and many songs and rhymes that remain consistent every week.
Miss Mariah and Miss Sara can’t wait to see you at our newest storytime!
Winter Storytimes Begin in January:
Music and Movement Mondays at 6 p.m.
Babies in the Library Wednesdays at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Wiggle and Rhyme Thursdays at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
SENSEational Storytime Fridays at 9:45 a.m.