Storyville is an interactive early literacy learning center designed specifically for children ages birth to five and their caregivers. Located in the Rosedale branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, Storyville was made possible by funds raised by the Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library. The 2,240 square-foot child-sized village includes developmentally appropriate books and activities for children ages birth to five. The environments and activities in Storyville are specifically designed for caregivers to help their young children enter school ready to learn.

Caregivers and their young children can explore the seven museum-quality learning areas in the village. These include a library, a two-story house, theater, store, Chesapeake Bay waterfront for toddlers, baby garden and construction site. Each area is furnished with books and engaging materials and activities which promote language and literacy, as well as other vital school readiness skills.

Babies and their caregivers can engage in peek-a-boo and play with sensory toys or read board books in their garden; toddlers can crawl through driftwood, read in a lighthouse, rock in a toy boat, fish or gaze up at the stars; preschoolers can play house in the home living area, present plays and puppet shows in the theater, shop in the store and practice building at the construction site. The library, stocked with a variety of children's books and comfortable seating, invites reading together. Books, displayed in every area, as well as parent resource materials and themed take home kits, are available for checkout.

The architectural firm of James Bradberry and Associates designed the center which was constructed by Lynch Exhibits. The project cost of $700,000 was paid with donations to the Foundation from private sources and individuals as well as state funds.

Storyville is open during library hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Groups need to call the library in advance at 410-887-0512, extension 113 to make arrangements.

Storyville Frequently Asked Questions

Hours:

Q: What are the hours that Storyville is open?

A: Storyville is open the same hours as the Rosedale Library: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Q: When is Storyville the busiest?

A: Our busiest times tend to be weekday mornings from 10 a.m. until noon.

Capacity and Waiting Lists:

Q: Is there a limit to how many people are allowed in Storyville at one time?

A: We have found that a comfortable maximum capacity is around sixty visitors, adults and children, in Storyville at one time. Once our capacity has been reached we will begin a waiting list.

Q: When do you use a waiting list?

A: Waiting lists are most frequent weekday mornings. There is rarely a waiting list weekday afternoons and Sundays.

Q: How long are the waits?

A: Waits can be as short as five minutes or as long as an hour.

Q: What can I do while I wait to be called?

A: Once your name is on the waiting list, you may wait in the children's area of the library where there are books and other early literacy activities to occupy your child. Staff will come for you when it is your turn to go into Storyville.

Q: How do you keep track of how many people are in Storyville?

A: We monitor how many people are in Storyville by registering all visitors to Storyville as they enter. Each group or family unit is given a pass which they return when they leave.

Q: Do you take reservations?

A: We do not take reservations for Storyville visits. You are welcome to call to see if we are busy before you visit. Please call 410-887-0512, extension 149.

Group Visits:

Q: Do I need to schedule my group a visit?

A: We ask that groups let us know when they would like to visit so we may try to reduce the chance of more than one group coming at the same time. Although scheduling makes waiting less likely, please remember that it is not a reservation or a guarantee that your group will not have to wait or be split up. If your group is very large, we may recommend you split your group into smaller ones and visit at separate times. Because our space is limited, we recommend that groups come in the afternoon when we are less busy. If you are planning a group visit, please call the Storyville Coordinator at 410-887-0512, extension 113.

Q: How many chaperones do I need for a group visit?

A: We would like at least 1 adult for every 3 children, so they may be actively engaged with the children in their care.

Q: Do you do private birthday parties?

A: We do not host birthday parties in Storyville. However, you are welcome to invite your child's friends (birth to five years) and their parents to meet you here.

Q: What can I do to get ready for my group visit?

A: We invite your group leader to take a tour of Storyville to get a sense for the space and consider appropriate activities for your group. It would be helpful to review the Storyville Rules with your group before your visit. Please see: Do I need to schedule my group a visit?

Older Children:

Q: Why can't my older child come into Storyville?

A: Storyville was specifically designed for preschool children, birth to five, to use interactively with their caregivers. Recognizing that parents are a child's first teachers, the guiding mission of Storyville is to help preschool children, interactively with their caregivers, gain the skills they need to enter school ready to learn.

Though Storyville may look like a play area for families with older children, it is actually a learning environment intended for young children who have not yet begun school. Most of the children visiting Storyville are younger than four. While children who have entered school might enjoy some of the features of Storyville, they are at a different developmental level than the children for whom Storyville was designed.

Q: What can my older child do while his younger brother and I play in Storyville?

A: The Rosedale library has a full service children's area where your older child can read and play while you and your preschooler visit Storyville. Please note that Maryland Law requires that children under 8 be accompanied by a caregiver, so an adult or a babysitter over 13 would need to stay with your child while in the library. It may be best for you to visit Storyville at a time when your older child is in school or spending time with a friend unless you have another adult to stay with him in the library.

Q: May a babysitter take my child into Storyville?

A: Since the legal age for babysitting is 13, teenagers over 13 years may accompany children birth to five. Teenage babysitters must understand that they are considered the adult in Storyville and thus are expected to interact with and supervise the younger children they are with at all times.

Cleaning and Safety:

Q: How do you keep Storyville clean?

A: To maintain an organized and hygienic environment, Storyville is tidied and cleaned throughout the day. We ask our visitors to help by encouraging their children to use our materials appropriately and put them away before moving to a new area. We also ask our visitors to place any toys they feel need cleaning in our "Sanitize Me" bin at the greeter desk. Occasionally, we will close an area to clean it more thoroughly.

Q: Do you allow adults without children into Storyville?

A: We do not allow unaccompanied adults in Storyville. Adults who arrive without children are welcome to tour Storyville with one of our staff.

Donations:

Q: How can I make donations to Storyville?

A: You can make a tax deductible contribution to benefit Storyville in several ways:
To give online, visit the Support Storyville page.
To give by mail, mail your check to:

Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library
320 York Road
Towson, Maryland 21204-5179

You may also donate when you visit Storyville or the Rosedale Library.

Volunteers:

Q: What kinds of opportunities are available if I volunteer in Storyville?

A: Volunteers play an important role in Storyville. Storyville has adult and teen volunteer opportunities that accommodate a variety of interests and availabilities.

Q: How old do I need to be to volunteer in Storyville?

A: Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.

Q: How do I become a volunteer in Storyville?

A: You can apply to become a volunteer several ways. Interested applicants can pick up an application at the Storyville greeter desk; fill out an application [PDF] or contact the Storyville Coordinator directly at 410-887-0512, extension 113.

Books, Toys and Materials:

Q: May I borrow materials from Storyville?

A: With the exception of a few Big Books, all Storyville books, Baby Booster Kits, and parent resource materials may be checked out using your library card at Rosedale Library's check out. Storyville toys may not be borrowed. You will find many more materials, for children and adults, in the Rosedale library.

Q: May I return Storyville books to another Library?

A: As with all other BCPL materials, Storyville books may be returned to any other BCPL library.

Storyville Rules

The Storyville experience was created to foster early literacy and school readiness skills through interactive discovery and play. This can only happen with your involvement, as you are your children's first teacher. So please take advantage of this opportunity to engage with your children!

BCPL strives to provide a safe, educational, and fun environment for you and your children. Please assist us in this endeavor by cooperating with the following:

Have fun playing with your children! Marvel in what your children can do. Follow their lead. Encourage them to take each learning experience farther. These are teachable moments that will last!