SBPL Offers 10+ Storytimes Each Week

From newborns to kids ready to start elementary school, Santa Barbara Public Library offers an early literacy class tailored to meet their developmental needs. But our storytimes aren’t just for the benefit of little ones – they all offer support and community for parents and caregivers. Storytime is a chapter in the larger narrative of community building, literacy development, and joyful learning. Join us at your local library, where every session unfolds a new story and creates lasting memories for families in our vibrant community.

In 2024, SBPL is expanding our slate of classes to include a Wednesday evening Baby & Me Storytime for working parents, a Friday time for our popular Wiggly Storytime, and a new Kinder Ready class on Saturday mornings designed to help those attending Transitional Kindergarten in fall adjust to classroom expectations, especially if they haven’t been to preschool.

Here’s the full schedule of regular weekly early literacy classes – but check the calendar for special storytimes throughout the month!

Baby & Me

Our storyteller will lead the group in songs, rhymes, reading, and sensory play time to develop language skills, social skills, motor skills, and community. Best for babies 0 - 14 months.

Wednesdays
Central Library
11 am & 5 pm

Wiggly Storytime

This storytime engages kids with short stories, action rhymes, and songs. Your child will learn sounds, letter recognition, new words, and motor skills, helping them grow into pre-readers, all while having fun. Best for toddlers ages 14 months - 3 years.

Tuesdays & Fridays
Central Library
10:15 am

Music & Movement

A morning of singing, dancing, stories, and fun! In this class, children and their caregivers develop early literacy skills through music and dancing. Best for children ages 2 - 5.

Wednesdays
Central Library (Bilingual)
10:15 am

Thursdays
Shoreline Park 
10:30 am

Fridays 
With Library on the Go in rotating parks
10:30 am

Bilingual Stories and Songs

This class focuses on developing your child’s literacy skills with action rhymes, a short story, and songs in both English and Spanish. Your child will practice language skills, social skills, and motor skills. Best for children ages 0 - 5.

Tuesdays
Eastside Library
11 am

Stay & Play

Drop by to learn and play, sing and share stories in English and Spanish with your young children. Enjoy company and snacks with other caregivers. 
Best for ages 0 - 5.

Thursdays
Eastside Library
9 am

Kinder Ready

Children ages 3.5 - 5 will practice independence, building routines, and developing social skills. Each session will focus on a new theme and concepts and include lap games, introductions, a short lesson, and circle time. During lessons and circle time, caregivers connect with each other to talk about this new developmental stage.

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. While bilingual English/Spanish staff will be present, the program is conducted primarily in English.

Saturdays
Central Library
10:15 am