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Treasures of our Memorial Library STORY TIMES With the burgeoning popularity of T. V. and computer games, children are less likely, these days, to choose books for entertainment and learning. Yet, for the sake of our children's future, we must foster continued interest in books. This somewhat amorphous concept is surely one good reason for the ever-popular program of "Story Times" in our library's "Menu" for juveniles. These programs, under the guidance of our Head of Youth Services, Julia Hedley, are important items in her work and that of two of her staff. Fortunately, these professionals are enthusiastic and sensitive, with a strong love for children. Their own talents are well supported by equipment, mainly books and large puppets supplied by the Friends of the Library. Ms Hedley is generous in her praise for the help given by the Friends, in support of these sessions. Story-telling sessions are planned about varying themes, such as adventures, animal plots, games, family relationships and so on. Musical "backgrounds" are often incorporated in the stories, and occasionally a volunteer friend comes to enliven the meeting with his guitar. Story sessions are planned, usually for somewhat limited age groups. Four main groups are formed covering the following ages: "Baby Time" is for infants under two years. "Tales for Two" and "Pre School Story Time" are for children aged two to five years. "Family story times", for all ages. Generally, parents are asked to register their children for the first two groups which are generally limited to fifteen children each, but occasional "drop-ins" are welcomed. But the popularity of these programs is indicated by the fact that those open to all ages sometimes draw as many as 60 children at a time! Story meetings are usually offered at least twice a week, and more often five times weekly. They are less frequent during Summer months, as so many children cannot attend then. Summer sessions are generally open to all ages, and the stories are planned to appeal mainly to children of "school ages". For the younger groups, programs often rely strongly on poems and songs. More structured stories, of course, are deliberately chosen for older groups of youngsters. At all sessions deliberate plans are used to make the meetings "interactive", stressing the relations of children and adults, and attempting to offer to the parents ideas they may adopt in entertaining and teaching their own offspring at home. Kudos to our guiding staff, and may all involved, on both sides of the rostrum, "live happily ever after". Ted Hill