Summer Storytimes and Activities in North Alabama
We absolutely love the local libraries’ annual Summer Reading Program, and if you’re not bringing your kids to participate, you are really missing out! It’s a great way to keep them reading this summer and the quality of programs the libraries hosts just can’t be beat.
But keeping up with all the storytime schedules at all the branches can get tricky, plus there are some events happening at the bookstores and other local library systems. So we put together this at-a-glance list just for busy parents!
Please note this schedule is for SUMMER 2024 programs only, and if there’s one you are especially excited about attending we recommend calling that branch to double check the date and time has not changed before you head over. (Scroll to the end of the schedule for links to North Alabama Summer Reading programs for even more fun activities at the library this summer.)
Library Story Times and Activities During 2024 Summer
North Alabama Public Libraries
MONDAYS
Baby Lapsit | Downtown Huntsville Library | 9:30 a.m.
Baby Storytime | Madison Public Library | 9:30 a.m.
Explorer Storytime | Downtown Huntsville Library | 10 a.m.
Trek to Adventure! | North Huntsville Public Library | 10 a.m.
Make It and Take It (all ages) | Florence-Lauderdale Public Library | 10:30 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Baby & Me (ages 0-2) | Helen Keller Public Library | 10:30 a.m.
STEAM Voyagers (school age) | Downtown Huntsville Library | 2 p.m.
Stop Motion Movie Making | North Huntsville Library | 2 p.m.
Library Explorers | New Hope Public Library | 2 p.m.
Teen Art Night | Triana Public Library | 4 p.m.
TUESDAYS
Mother Goose Storytime (0 – 3 Years) | South Huntsville Library | 9:30 a.m.
Toddler/Preschool Storytime | Madison Public Library | 9:30 a.m.
Storytime | North Huntsville Library | 10 a.m.
Toddler Storytime | Monrovia Library | 10 a.m.
All Ages Storytime | Hazel Green Library | 10 a.m.
Music Explorers | Downtown Huntsville Library | 10 a.m.
Tinker Tots Toddler Storytime (19 Months – 2 Years) | Downtown Huntsville Library | 10 a.m.
Summer Reading Activities (all ages) | Linda Duran Public Library | 10 a.m.
Preschool Storytime | Boaz Public Library | 10 a.m.
Woodland Wonders (pre-K & older) | Florence-Lauderdale Public Library | 10:30 a.m.
Little Learners (2-5) | Helen Keller Public Library | 10:30 a.m.
Preschool Storytime | Madison Public Library | 10:30 a.m.
Book Buddies Storytime (3 – 5 Years) | South Huntsville Library | 10:30 a.m.
All Ages Storytime | Gurley Public Library | 11 a.m.
Storytime with Ms. Fran | Tillman D. Hill Public Library of Hazel Green | 10:30 a.m.
Story Troopers (8 & under) | Calvary Hill Public Library | 12 p.m.
Reading Rockets Book Club (school age) | Gurley Public Library | 1 p.m.
Family Games at the Library | New Hope Public Library | 3 p.m.
Library Explorers | South Huntsville Library | 3:30 p.m.
Library Adventurers | Madison Library | 4 p.m.
WEDNESDAYS
Baby Lapsit | Downtown Huntsville Library | 9:30 AM
Mother Goose Storytime (0 – 3 Years) | South Huntsville Library | 9:30 a.m.
Toddler/Preschool Storytime | Madison Library | 9:30 a.m.
All Ages Storytime | Downtown Huntsville Library | 10 a.m.
Toddler Storytime | Monrovia Library | 10 a.m.
Storytime | North Huntsville Library | 10 a.m.
Toddler Storytime | Madison Library | 10:30 a.m.
Storytime Favorites (ages 2-6) | Florence-Lauderdale Public Library | 10:30 a.m.
Preschool Storytime | Madison Library | 10:30 a.m.
Book Buddies Storytime (3 – 5 Years) | South Huntsville Library | 10:30 a.m.
Library Explorers | Triana Public Library | 10:30 a.m.
Storytime | New Hope Public Library | 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Library Explorers (school age) | Calvary Hill Public Library | 11:30 p.m.
Library Explorers (school age) | Gurley Public Library | 1 p.m.
Library Adventure Club| Monrovia Library | 1 p.m.
Stop Motion Movie Making | North Huntsville Library | 2 p.m.
Trailblazers (entering 2nd grad & older | Florence-Lauderdale Public Library | 2 p.m.
Book Buddies (ages 5-8) | Helen Keller Public Library | 3 p.m.
Calling All Adventurers Bingo (school age) | Downtown Huntsville Library | 5 p.m.
THURSDAYS
Toddler/Preschool Storytime | Madison Library | 9:30 a.m.
Mother Goose Storytime (0 – 3 Years) | South Huntsville Library | 9:30 a.m.
Storytime | North Huntsville Library | 10 a.m.
Preschool Storytime | Monrovia Library | 10 a.m.
Explorer Craft Time | Downtown Huntsville Library | 10 a.m.
Summer Reading Activities (all ages) | Linda Duran Public Library | 10 a.m.
Library Explorers | North Huntsville Library | 10 a.m.
Tinker Tots Toddler Storytime (19 Months – 2 Years) | Downtown Huntsville Library | 10 a.m.
Yummy Stories (all ages) | Florence-Lauderdale Public Library | 10:30 a.m. (requires Eventbrite registration)
Storytime in Triana | Triana Library | 10:30 a.m.
Tillman Toddlers| Hazel Green Library | 10:30 a.m. (1st & 3rd Thursday of each month)
Book Buddies Storytime (3 – 5 Years) | South Huntsville Library | 10:30 a.m.
Story Troopers (9 & up) | Calvary Hill Public Library | 12 p.m.
Reading Rockets Book Club (school age) | Gurley Public Library | 1 p.m.
Tweens (ages 9-12) | Helen Keller Public Library | 3 p.m.
Teen Navigators | Downtown Huntsville Library | 4 p.m.
Library Explorers | Madison Library | 4 p.m.
FRIDAYS
Preschool Storytime | Boaz Public Library | 10 a.m.
Library Explorers | Tillman D. Hill Library of Hazel Green | 10:30 a.m.
Babies Love the Library (infants to 24 months) | Florence-Lauderdale Public Library | 10:30 a.m.
Summer STEM | Triana Public Library | 11 a.m.
Library Explorers| Monrovia Library | 1 p.m
Library Explorers (school age) | Downtown Huntsville Library | 1:30 p.m.
SATURDAYS
Weekend Family Storytime | Madison Library | 10 AM (1st, 2nd & 3rd Saturday of each month)
Saturday Sillies Storytime | Downtown Huntsville Library | 10 AM (1st & 3rd Saturday of each month)
Saturday Stories (all ages) | Florence-Lauderdale Public Library | 10:30 a.m.
SUNDAYS
Storytime | South Huntsville Library | 3 p.m. (2nd Sunday of each month)
Summer Reading Programs
- Huntsville-Madison County Public Libraries
- Helen Keller Public Library, Tuscumbia
- Boaz Public Library
- Cullman County Public Library
- Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
- Linda Duran Public Library, Priceville
- Decatur Public Library
How to Make the Most Out of Storytime
1. Age Matters
If the storytime you are attending is targeting a specific age, please be sure it is the right one for your little listener. There are many to choose from – baby, toddler, preschool, lower elementary, and family storytimes are the most common. For instance, baby & toddler times aren’t so worried about sitting still and being quiet, but preschoolers and older kids are usually already familiar with the structure of storytime and more is expected. If you’re not sure which storytime is right for your family, just ask the librarian!
2. Be Ready to Move!
Be sure to dress comfortably and appropriately – you and your child will likely be moving and getting hands-on during storytime. Some libraries include a craft or activity after the stories, so be prepared to work with markers, glue, and sometimes even glitter and paint.
3. Participation is Key
Storytimes are led by the librarian, but many children will come out of their shell when they see YOU joining in! Don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing, clapping, and even hokey-pokeying! It’s a good idea to put away your cell phone and chat with other caretakers after storytime is over.
4. It’s Social & Supportive
Library story hour is the perfect opportunity to work on socialization skills – for you and your child. Good friends are often made at storytime, the kind that lead to afternoon playdates for kids, and mini support groups for moms. Storytime is a great place for your child to learn how to interact with other kids before they get to preschool or kindergarten.
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