Library Story Times (220 Libraries with Kids’ Programs, by State)
📚 U.S. library guide
Library Story Times for Kids
A story time is a free early-literacy program where a librarian reads picture books aloud and leads songs, rhymes and fingerplays for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. It is one of the most popular things public libraries do — no library card or registration usually needed, just show up with your child. Here is how library story times work, what happens at one, and a verified, state-by-state list of libraries that run regular story-time programs.
A library story time (sometimes “story hour,” “lapsit” or “Mother Goose”) is a short, free program — usually 20–40 minutes — built around reading picture books aloud, plus songs, nursery rhymes, fingerplays and simple movement. Libraries often split them by age: baby/lapsit (0–18 months), toddler (18 months–3 years), preschool (3–5 years) and mixed-age family story time. They are designed to build the early-literacy skills — vocabulary, letter and sound awareness, print motivation — that get children ready to read, and to connect caregivers with each other. Most are drop-in and free, with no library card or sign-up required. Because exact days and times change with the season and by branch, the schedule below points you to each library so you can check its current calendar.
Jump to a state: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Florida · Georgia · Guam · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Puerto Rico · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · U.S. Virgin Islands · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming
How it works
- Find a library near you that runs story times. Use the state-by-state list below to find a participating library, then open its website or events calendar for the current schedule.
- Pick the right age group. Many libraries run separate baby, toddler and preschool sessions, plus a mixed-age family story time. Choose the one that fits your child — or start with family story time if you are unsure.
- Check the day, time and whether sign-up is needed. Most story times are weekly and drop-in, but some popular or special sessions ask you to register or pick up a free ticket. Confirm the current day and time on the library’s calendar, since schedules shift between the school year and summer.
- Just show up — a caregiver stays. Story time is free and open to the public; you do not usually need a library card to attend. A parent or caregiver stays with the child and joins in the songs and rhymes.
- Stay for play and browse afterward. Many libraries leave out toys, puzzles or a craft after story time so children can play and socialize — a good moment to pick up picture books to take home and keep reading.
Good to know
Story-time schedules change often — libraries pause or move sessions for holidays, staffing and the summer reading program, and swap between the school-year and summer calendars. This directory confirms which libraries run regular story times; always check the library’s own events calendar for the current day, time and any registration before you go.
Libraries with story times, by state
Every library below has this service verified on its official page. We add more as we confirm them — browse the full U.S. library directory for everything else.
Alabama · 27 libraries
Alaska · 5 libraries
Arizona · 6 libraries
Arkansas · 3 libraries
California · 12 libraries
Colorado · 8 libraries
Florida · 6 libraries
Georgia · 5 libraries
Guam · 1 library
Hawaii · 4 libraries
Idaho · 5 libraries
Illinois · 2 libraries
Iowa · 2 libraries
Kansas · 5 libraries
Kentucky · 2 libraries
Louisiana · 5 libraries
Maine · 3 libraries
Maryland · 4 libraries
Michigan · 9 libraries
Minnesota · 3 libraries
Mississippi · 3 libraries
Missouri · 6 libraries
Montana · 2 libraries
Nebraska · 2 libraries
Nevada · 3 libraries
New Hampshire · 1 library
New Jersey · 9 libraries
New Mexico · 4 libraries
New York · 12 libraries
North Carolina · 1 library
North Dakota · 5 libraries
Oklahoma · 1 library
Oregon · 10 libraries
Pennsylvania · 5 libraries
Puerto Rico · 2 libraries
South Carolina · 2 libraries
South Dakota · 2 libraries
Tennessee · 2 libraries
Texas · 7 libraries
U.S. Virgin Islands · 1 library
Utah · 4 libraries
Vermont · 1 library
Virginia · 4 libraries
Washington · 2 libraries
West Virginia · 1 library
Wisconsin · 6 libraries
Wyoming · 5 libraries
FAQ
How much does library story time cost?
What age is library story time for?
Do I need to register or bring a library card?
What happens at a library story time?
How do I find the story-time schedule for my library?
New to libraries? Learn how to get a library card in any U.S. state, or find a branch near you in the public library directory.
By Megan Carter, Library Resources Editor · public-libraries.com
