Archived News Release from 2006

For Immediate Release

Library Hosting Preschool Open House on May 20; Traveling Storytime Program Receives Literacy Award

Redwood City, CA - May 17 , 2006 - The Redwood City Public Library is throwing open its doors for a Preschool Open House this Saturday, May 20th from 11 am – 2 pm at the Downtown Library, 1044 Middlefield Road.

This special program showcases the many services the Library offers for children from birth to age five, and is designed for preschoolers and their parents, as well as child care providers.

At this FREE event, participants can sample the Library’s highly-entertaining storytimes, which will run continuously on the following schedule:

• 11 am - The Marine Science Institute Seaside Storytime
• 12 noon - Tiny Tales for Babies
• 12:30 pm - Preschool Storytime
• 1 pm - Storytime in Spanish
• 1:30 pm - Family Storytime

Self guided maps will point the way to areas of special interest containing baskets of board books, picture books for the younger set, videos and DVDs – fun, enlightening, and educational – especially the ones on potty training, and the ever-helpful Parent-Teacher Collection.

The Library is also proud to announce that its renowned Traveling StorytimeProgram has received the San Mateo County Reading Association’s Celebrate Literacy Award for 2005. This prestigious award is given to honor and commend exemplary efforts to further literacy in San Mateo County.

“Studies show that the best way to ensure children enter school ready to read is to start reading to them by the time they’re six months old,” said JoAnne Wetzel, the coordinator of the program. “Our Traveling Storytime volunteers are the ones who really earned this award, for their wonderful work throughout Redwood City in helping pre-schoolers develop the skills they’ll need to succeed in school." Fifty trained volunteers currently serve over 18,000 children a year in Redwood City home day cares and preschools.

With a time commitment of only a half-hour per week, this is a perfect opportunity for a busy person to volunteer. In those 30 minutes, an incredible impact is made on young lives, and both the volunteer and the learner have a great deal of fun. Anyone interested in participating in this award-winning program can call the Traveling Storytime at (650) 780-7014.

The Redwood City Public Library sponsors many free programs for children, families, and adults and is the learning center of the community. More information about library events and services, and the Redwood City Library Foundation, is available online, by calling 780-7026, or by picking up library information in any Redwood City public library.

Visit Redwood City’s award-winning website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and City government.

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Contact:
JoAnne Wetzel
Redwood City Public Library
650-780-7014