STORY HOURS

Head Start students Dontay King, left, and Tyler Figliolo looked at books and tapes offered by the Cape Girardeau Public Library. Library officials hope children who participate in Story Hours find the library inviting later in life.

The Cape Girardeau Public Library offers Story Hours for 3- to 5-year-olds until April 5. After that, the program will be on hold until mid June.

Tasha Saecker, coordinator of youth services at the library, said the program allows children to become familiar with the library. She said children might find a building full of tall book shelves and adults a bit intimidating, so Story Hours helps them overcome those fears.

"Before long they come up and give us hugs," Saecker said. "And, if they can hug you, they're no longer afraid to ask you a question."

Saecker said the library tries to be a safe environment for parents and children. She said most places in the library are easily visible, so parents can relax and allow their children to wander the aisles without hovering over them.

"They can't go where you can't see them," she said.

In addition to regularly scheduled story time, the library created Story Hours for day-cares and preschools that have prearranged times with the library staff. The library also encourages parents with 2-year-olds to come to a Story Hour on Monday at 11 a.m.

Story Hours has become popular -- Saecker said she sees anywhere from 200 to 250 children each week.

Story Hours consists of a staff member reading four or five books to the children, a movie and a craft that can be done at home.

The library has been offering Story Hours for quite a while, Saecker said. "I've been here for about three years," she said, "and it was here when I got here. I didn't want to change it."

The library offers Story Hours in three periods throughout the year: from mid January to mid April, mid June to the end of July and mid September until mid December.

Before the beginning of Story Hours in June, the library will sponsor a reading club. Two-year-olds through high-school students can read books for prizes, including the grand prize, a bicycle. Everyone who participates will at least get a book, Saecker said.

Until April 5, 3- to 5-year-olds can attend Story Hours on Mondays from 6:30-7 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10-10:30 a.m.

Saecker said on Monday evenings the whole family can go to the library. She said Story Hours on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings makes it tough for mom and dad to go to the library with their children because most parents work during the week.

She said the evening Story Hours doesn't require parents to set aside a lot of time at the library. Parents are encouraged to register prior to attending Story Hours by calling the library's youth services department at 334-5279.

Story Hours actually is story half hours. "But that's a long time in kid time," Saecker said.

STORY HOURS

STORY HOURS THROUGH APRIL 5 AT CAPE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Monday 6:30-7 p.m.

Tuesday 10-10:30 a.m.

Wednesday 10-10:30 a.m.

The program starts again in mid June.