Lots of places have closed and programs have been suspended in the past two years, but one thing that hasn't stopped is that babies are being born! The caregivers of these "pandemic babies" may be at a loss of how to give them nurturing experiences while being safe from COVID. Whether the child in your life is an infant, crawler, or toddler, the Monroe County Library System (MCLS) has something to offer for in-person, virtual, and grab-and-go options.
“It can be hard to find social activities for babies and toddlers at an age when it is so important to do so,” says Elissa Schaeffer, children’s services manager, Brighton Memorial Library (BML). “That’s why we offer Little Explorers at Play (LEAP).” LEAP offers toys in the program room for socially distant play. Many other libraries have returned toys and manipulatives to their children’s centers so babies can explore while caregivers search for books and media.
These in-person experiences are not just important for babies, but for their parents, too. “They can share tales of sleepless nights, diaper mishaps, and a slew of other baby things,” says Tonia Burton, children’s services consultant for MCLS. “Story time is a place to expose babies to early literacy skills, but it also supports caregivers in their quest to build the best foundation they can for their child.”
Annalise Ammer, the mother of a “pandemic baby” as well as children’s librarian at the Henrietta Public Library, says, “Before my baby was born, I dreamt of taking him to the story time at my library. I was heartbroken when the pandemic put a stop to that. But as vaccines, masking, and social distancing have become commonplace, we are once again offering baby story times. My baby loves attending, and I am so grateful that we can do so safely!” A number of libraries have resumed their in-person baby story times for just these reasons.
Librarians also realize that their target age group is not yet eligible for vaccination. “We have continued one weekly virtual all-ages story time for anyone not yet comfortable with returning to in-person programming,” says Lauren Seaver, children’s librarian, Fairport Public Library, also known as the ukulele playing “Miss Lauren” to her audiences.
In addition, new grab-and-go options are popping up throughout MCLS. “We created Baby Time Kits that include those awesome ‘Indestructibles’ books, a sheet of activities, and a link to our YouTube channel where we have a playlist of baby time songs and rhymes,” says Matt Krueger, children’s services Librarian at the Irondequoit Public Library.
BML added Talking is Teaching kits to their offerings, which contain a calendar of activity ideas, sheets of songs and rhymes, books, and music CDs. Adults can register once and do curbside pickup each month for their thematic bag. “These came about because so many parents of young children were looking for ideas of what to do,” says Schaeffer. “As an adult, it can feel awkward to have a one-sided conversation, but babies need to hear words and language very early on.”
MCLS has also joined with a number of state departments to form a local Talking is Teaching Coalition. They will lead the “Talk, Read, Sing Greater Rochester” effort. “Books, stories, songs, and games help build a foundation for babies and children to become strong readers and writers when they enter school,” says Burton. More information on this new program is forthcoming at libraryweb.org/kids/home.
Across the county, MCLS libraries are working hard to offer families with young children a friendly, happy, healthy environment for learning and play, no matter what the future of COVID—or other challenges—may bring. “We often hear that parents are making tough decisions and foregoing lots of activities. The one thing they’re keeping is the library and story time,” says Kelly Paganelli, assistant children’s librarian at the Mendon Public Library. “It makes you realize how much people appreciate the library and value the chance to share a story, sing a song, and grow young and happy readers.”
MCLS programs
Here is a small selection of MCLS programs for babies and their caregivers. For a complete list of libraries, their services (including all ages story times and registration information), and for any updates that may have occurred between the writing of this article and its publication, please visit libraryweb.org.
Baby Story Times
- Brighton Memorial Library Tuesdays 10 AM
- Brockport Seymour Library Thursdays 11:30 AM
- Chili Public Library Thursdays 10:30 AM
- Fairport Public Library Mondays 9:30 and 11 AM; Thursdays & Saturdays 9:30 AM
- Gates Public Library Mondays 9:30 AM
- Greece Public Library Fridays 9:30 AM
- Henrietta Public Library Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 9:30 AM
- Irondequoit Public Library Mondays 10:30 AM
- Ogden Farmers’ Library Tuesdays 11 AM
- Parma Public Library Fridays 10:30 AM
- Penfield Public Library Fridays 11:30 AM
- Pittsford Public Library Tuesdays 9:30 AM
- Webster Public Library Mondays 9:30 & 10 AM
Baby Play Times
- Brighton Memorial Library Wednesdays 9 & 10:15 AM
- Greece Public Library First Friday of the Month 9:30 AM
- Henrietta Public Library Saturdays TBA
- Penfield Public Library -Fridays 10 AM