Do you have fond childhood memories of story time at the library? Do you enjoy listening to audio books or to stories read on National Public Radio? Want something fun to do at lunch time in Chestertown?
For the first time, Kent County Public Library will be offering Story Time for Grown Ups. Bring your lunch, invite your friends and coworkers, and join us at noon to hear short stories read aloud for your enjoyment. The library will provide drinks, dessert, and of course entertainment.
We're kicking this series off at noon on Halloween in the "Hearse House" with some delightfully spooky tales. We'll follow that up in subsequent weeks with a varied selection of literary and popular short stories.
Story Time for Grown Ups is scheduled to take place every other Monday at noon beginning October 31 and ending December 12. It will be held in the Chestertown Library, Inc. Building, formerly known as the "Hearse House," but commonly referred to as the "Yellow Building" in the parking lot of Kent County Public Library's Chestertown Branch.
Public Services Librarian Karen Collier will be selecting and reading the short stories for this series of programs, and looks forward to putting her theatrical and story telling abilities to use with adult audiences. "There are few things more enjoyable than a good story, regardless of your age. The kids already have story time. This one is for the adults. I'm choosing stories for their appeal to adult audiences, and for their entertainment value. I think that story time should, first and foremost, be fun."
Because Story Time for Grown Ups is a brand new concept for the library, staff are making a real effort to get the word out. Ms. Collier says, "This type of program has proven very popular in other libraries around the country. What we want to know is how Kent County residents will respond to the idea. If these first four sessions are well attended, we hope to do this again. So, if you like what you hear, let us know, and bring your friends."
Short stories are the format of choice because their length allows a longer one or a handful of shorter ones to be read in their entirety over the course of the lunch break. Add to that, the fact that short stories tend to be overlooked by many readers in favor of longer works, and you have the perfect opportunity to showcase some truly excellent stories that participants may not otherwise have encountered.
These programs are free of charge and, in the spirit of public libraries, open to all. While not expected, donations are, of course, welcome and help the library keep its doors open and continue to offer the programs and services that matter to our community. For more information about this and other programs, give us a call at 410-778-3636 or visit our Web site at www.kentcountylibrary.org.