Join the family fun at Read, Baby Read, the Free Library of Philadelphia's ultimate early literacy extravaganza designed just for our tiniest bookworms - babies and toddlers!
Explore the magic at 26 neighborhood branches, where we turn storytime into sing-alongs and dance parties, host exciting parent workshops, and offer interactive programs that ignite early literacy, spark creativity, enhance motor skills, ignite and feed the flame of curiosity! Discover the joy of learning alongside your baby at a library near you.
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Our Programming
Learn
Read, Baby, Read offers a variety of baby-focused programs. Our Baby Storytimes are tailored with infants and toddlers in mind. They are filled with developmentally appropriate books and engaging songs and rhymes, including lots of lap bounces, tickles, and finger play songs. The content is designed for children 0-24 months of age, though older siblings are always welcome to join as well.
Play
Additionally, other programming includes Baby Playgroups and Baby Dance Parties. Baby Playgroups are a time for families to join together and socialize in our baby spaces while discovering how babies learn through play. Baby Dance Parties are a fun and high-energy way to gather with other families and explore how movement is important for a baby's development.
Connect
Community programming is also an essential part of Read, Baby, Read's mission. We offer "parent circles" where parents and caregivers learn and discuss the benefits of early literacy in a casual environment. "Pop-Up Baby Storytimes" are also hosted at local community sites, such as parks and children's hospitals. We have partnered with a variety of community organizations, including Reach Out and Read, ELECT, and AlphaCare.
Baby Spaces
Read, Baby, Read has created dedicated permanent "baby spaces" designed specifically for infants and young toddlers. These spaces are open for free play during normal library hours and provide children 0-24 months old with their own special play area filled with baby-friendly play furniture and plenty of developmentally appropriate toys.
All Read Baby, Read Libraries
Want to check to see if your local library is a Read Baby, Read library? Find a library near you on our branch locations page.
- Bushrod Library
- Cecil B. Moore Library
- Charles L. Durham Library
- Charles Santore Library
- Fishtown Community Library
- Fox Chase Library
- Haverford Library
- Independence Library
- Joseph E. Coleman Library
- Kingsessing Library
- Lillian Marrero Library
- Logan Library
- Lovett Memorial Library
- Lucien E. Blackwell Regional Library
- Northeast Regional Library
- Oak Lane Library
- Parkway Central Library Children's Department
- Philadelphia City Institute
- Richmond Library
- Roxborough Library
- South Philadelphia Library
- Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. Library
- Wadsworth Library
- Walnut Street West Library
- Widener Library
- Wynnefield Library
Explore Our Collections
Toddler Booklist
These picture books open up the world for youngsters asking lots of "why" questions and learning their letters and numbers.
View the Toddler BooklistRead, Baby, Read Kits
Read, Baby, Read also offers special collections available at our Blackwell and Richmond libraries. These include themed backpacks (portable play kits filled with board books and developmentally appropriate toys) and family items (larger items such as baby carriers and white noise machines, which can be borrowed for three months at a time). Browse Read, Baby, Read kits.
Browse Read, Baby, Read Kits
Resources
If you're interested in learning more about babies and early literacy, we recommend these resources:
Read, Baby, Read is made possible by a generous grant from the William Penn Foundation.