Betsy Williams, Correspondent
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Published 12/2/09
Englewood Charlotte Public Library has moved to the beach; well, at least once a month for about an hour.
For the new "Beach Storytime," library Supervisor Lynda Citro takes the youth reading program for preschoolers to Englewood Beach.
The sessions, geared toward age 2 and older along with their caregivers, offers stories and a seasonal craft.
Just in time for Thanksgiving, the November event offered unique thank-you cards for the children and adults to decorate and "send to someone special, just to say thanks," Citro said.
Helping out with the program under the pavilion next to the playground was library volunteer Louise Hoffman.
"We tried it once right on the beach, but dealing with the sand was just too much," Citro said.
New to the area, Lisa Reedy and her children, Alyssa, 2, and Jacob, 5, have been checking out various youth programs around the county to see what the children enjoy. The family drove from Port Charlotte and planned to spend the day at the beach after the library program.
Jean Hunker and her 3-year-old granddaughter, Sierra Young, arrived early so the youngster could get some play time in before the library program.
"She misses going to preschool, playing with other children," said Hunker, who packed a lunch for the two and also planned to stay after the program for a picnic and more play time.
The next Beach Read is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17th. There is no charge.
