Preschool Storytime & Playgroup

Preschool Storytime & Playgroup is on Wednesday, October 21, at the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 South 52nd Street. It's for kids aged 2 to 5 and their caregivers, and it starts at 11 AM.

The session is split into two parts. First comes storytime, built around stories, rhythms, and songs that get the little ones moving and listening. Once that wraps up, it opens into a playgroup session where the kids can just be kids and play together. Siblings are welcome, too, so if you've got a younger or older one in tow, you don't have to leave them behind.

If you're not familiar with the spot, the Blackwell is a regional library that serves a good stretch of West Philly—Cedar Park, Walnut Hill, West Market, Mill Creek, Dunlap, and West Park. It opened back in 1976, designed by William Mann on the site of the old Rivoli Theatre, and was renamed in 2004 for Lucien Blackwell, a former congressman, city council member, state legislator, and local activist who died in 2003. The building got a renovation in 1998 as part of the 'Changing Lives' campaign, which brought Internet service to every branch in the system.

Inside the adult room, there are three large murals worth a look: Knowledge by George Beach, Paul Robeson and the 21st Lady of Liberty by Marta Sanchez, and Adventures in Reading by Walter Edmonds. The whole area was originally settled by William Warner, who named it Blockley after his parish in England. Storytime runs every Monday for children aged 2 to 5 and their caregivers, with stories, rhythms, and songs followed by a playgroup session; siblings are welcome. This particular session is Wednesday, October 21, at 11 AM.