The Omaha Public Library is partnering with Boys Town Pediatrics' Center for Childhood Deafness, Language and Learning; and Lions Club International to offer a new storytime series this fall. Julie Humphrey, Youth and Family Services Manager for Omaha Public Library, says each OPL branch will host two special storytimes featuring senses: one about vision and another about hearing and language.
She says after the readings, kids will enjoy songs, activities and free vision or hearing screenings.
Humphrey says screeners can connect parents with resources to help improve their children’s quality of life and to help prevent or reduce learning delays often associated with impairment.
"This is something that is very important. It’s a free resource a lot of people in our community don’t know exists. It really impacts young learners if they parents don’t know they have vision impairment. Parents don’t know they might not have the correct hearing. It really kind of sets kids at a disadvantage if they don’t have their full senses available.”
The next vision-focused storytime takes place tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10:30 a.m. at the South Omaha library branch. The next hearing-centered storytime will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Willa Cather branch.
More information is available at omahalibrary.org.