Guernsey Memorial Library is beginning their Winter Storytime Session at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10. The Session will continue at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday until March 24. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — The Guernsey Memorial Library, located at 3 Court Street in Norwich, is beginning their first Storytime Session of 2023. The Winter Storytime Session is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, and continue every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. until March 24.

Each week, Children's Librarian Kim Hazel will read a selection of books related to that week's theme to attending children, with the first week of stories focusing on animals in winter.

"She does most of our stories and she will often sing some songs with the kids and she’ll do a craft with the kids too. So it isn’t just sitting and listening to stories the whole time," said Guernsey Memorial Library Director Connie Dalrymple.

She said the Storytime Sessions are usually about a half hour long, are completely free, and don't require prior sign ups to attend. Interested families can simply show up the day of the readings.

Storytime Sessions are offered at Guernsey Memorial Library throughout the year, as well as several other children's programs.

"We do these throughout the year. We’ll do a series for a couple of months, and then we take a couple of weeks off, and then we start a new series," said Dalrymple.

In addition to the Storytime Sessions, Guernsey also offers a kids' Lego club, a graphic novel club, as well as a variety of crafts throughout the year. Dalrymple said those who can't make it to the craft programs are welcome to contact the library, as there are often supplies left over they can take to do the craft at home.

This month, Guernsey Library's kids' programs and activities include a snowman painting at 4 p.m. on January 9, SPCA Storytime with Guest Critters at 4 p.m. on January 11, and Lego Club at 6 p.m. on January 30.

A full schedule of Guernsey programs and activities for the month of January can be found on the Guernsey Memorial Library Facebook page.

Plus, although warm weather is still a few months off, planning is well underway for the Guernsey Memorial Library's summer programs.

"I know that [Hazen is] currently in the middle of planning the summer programs, and there’s always a reading program where the kids read and log their reading for prizes and stuff like that," said Dalrymple. "She also has a lot of musical programs and magic programs. Quite a variety of entertainment."

Dates and themes for the upcoming Winter Storytime Session are as follows:

January 10 and 13 - Animals in Winter

January 17 and 20 - I Love to Read!

January 24 and 27 - Blankets

January 31 and February 3 - Peek, Peek, Hide and Seek

February 7 and 10 - Shh… Bears are Sleeping

February 14 and 17 - Wishing

February 21 and 24 - Soup

February 28 and March 3 - Dental Health

March 7 and 10 - Penguins

March 13 and 17 - Robots

March 21 and 24 - Knights and Royalty