Grants Pass, OR – April 18, 2025 — In celebration of Día de los Niños, also known as Children’s Day, Josephine Community Library is hosting a special week-long series of events focused on bilingual storytelling and cultural literacy. The initiative, which runs from April 24 through April 30, will take place across the library’s four branches and is designed to honor the importance of reading and language development in early childhood education.
The library’s bilingual storytime series will feature interactive readings in English paired with other languages, giving young readers and their families an opportunity to explore different cultures through literature. Local volunteers and community partners will read aloud in languages including Spanish, Japanese, and American Sign Language (ASL), offering an inclusive and engaging experience for children of all backgrounds.
Each session is carefully curated to include not only multilingual storytelling, but also hands-on activities. After the readings, children will participate in a craft that reflects the culture or language shared during the event. The goal is to create an immersive and meaningful learning environment that celebrates diversity and fosters a love of reading at a young age.
The first event kicks off at the Grants Pass branch on Thursday, April 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., featuring stories in both English and Spanish. The celebration continues the following day, Friday, April 25, at the Williams branch, where participants will hear stories in Japanese from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. On Saturday, April 26, the Illinois Valley branch will host an ASL storytime from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., showcasing the visual language of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
The final event in the series, held Wednesday, April 30, at the Grants Pass branch, will be a Sensory Storytime designed specifically for children with autism and other sensory processing needs. Though not bilingual, this session is tailored to create a welcoming environment through the use of movement, interactive books, and sensory play. The program will run from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m., and due to limited space, registration is required. Families can register by emailing info@josephinelibrary.org or calling 541-476-0571.
Library Director Kate Lasky emphasized the importance of fostering early literacy in a way that is both inclusive and joyful. She noted that language and storytelling play vital roles in child development and are central to the mission of the library.
To support this effort, children who attend any of the bilingual storytimes will receive a free book and themed giveaways, provided in part by Bridging Communities and supported by the Autism Society of Oregon, while supplies last.
The storytime events are open to the public and free of charge. No library card is required to attend. More information is available at josephinelibrary.org, or by contacting the library directly at info@josephinelibrary.org or by phone at 541-476-0571.
This inclusive celebration of language, culture, and community underscores Josephine Community Library’s commitment to lifelong learning and literacy for every child.