The youngest patrons of the North Olympic Library System can read, sing, play, write and talk at online storytimes, starting Tuesday Sept. 8.

NOLS hosts virtual storytimes featuring songs, stories and rhymes geared towards toddlers and preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays this fall on Zoom.

Registration is required to receive Zoom meeting information.

Storytimes this fall will include two new features: On the fourth Tuesday of the month, library staff host a birthday party for participants who had a birthday during the month.

Another addition, three storytimes this fall include a read-along. Participants can pick up the featured book from their library branch a week before the event, read along during virtual storytime and add the titles to their home collection.

Storytime read-alongs will take place on Oct. 6 (pick up beginning Sept. 29), Nov. 3 (pick up beginning Oct. 27), and Dec. 1 (pick up beginning Nov. 24).

Register for the event, pick up the book curbside and it’s yours to keep.

In addition to storytimes, NOLS hosts a weekly early literacy rhyme or song on its Facebook and YouTube page. Activities such as talking, reading, playing and singing all play an important role in early childhood development, library representatives say, which are why they are included in storytimes at NOLS. The activities support skill development and encourage children to interact with their caregivers and peers in a fun, literacy-rich environment.

“Offering storytimes is a core library service,” Library Director Noah Glaude said. “Providing caregivers and families with early literacy rich programming is especially important now, during the pandemic, to support families.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all North Olympic Library System facilities are closed to the public, but NOLS is open with virtual programming and other online services at www.nols.org.

For more information about storytimes and other services for youth, visit www.nols.org, call 360-417-8500 or email to youth@nols.org.