Tales 'n Play Storytime

Tales 'n Play Storytime is back at the Central Library on Friday, November 13, from 11 AM to noon. It's part of Kid Central, an Indianapolis Public Library program that pairs storytime with open playtime for the city's youngest library users. The session is aimed at children aged 0 to 5 and their caregivers, so it works for preschoolers, families, babies, and toddlers alike.

If you haven't been, the format is pretty straightforward: the storytime part is the anchor, and the open play is there for the kids to move around and explore afterward. It's designed for that age range where sitting still for a whole book can be a stretch, so the playtime gives them a chance to burn off some energy while you get to chat with other parents. There's no registration required, which makes it easy to just show up when it fits your morning.

The session is held at the Central Library, the hub of the Indianapolis Public Library system. The building itself is a bit of a local landmark: the original 1917 structure was designed by architect Paul Cret, six stories of Indiana limestone in the Greek Doric style, which at the time was regarded as one of the most outstanding secular buildings in the United States. A six-story glass and steel-framed addition by Evans Woollen opened there in 2007, so you've got the old limestone and the newer glass side by side. It's located at 40 East Saint Clair Street in downtown Indianapolis.

So, if you've got a little one in that 0-to-5 range, it's a low-pressure way to get them into the library. Tales 'n Play Storytime runs from 11 AM to noon on Friday, November 13, at the Central Library, and you don't need to sign up in advance.