Story Time in Orange Street Alley brings out young readers

A.K. Smiley Public Library is taking story time on the road.

The Library held its first story time in the Orange Street Alley in Redlands Tuesday, for a change of scenery now that days are warmer and the alley is revamped.

Nearly a dozen youngsters eagerly sat on mats under a pop-up shade to listen to A.K. Smiley’s Youth Services Librarian Pamela Martinez read a handful of new books and a few classic tales.

“If you’re a robot and you know it shoot laser beams out of your eyes,” read Martinez. Children stood to participate in the action, looking intensely for beams.

And the sounds of cars and passersby didn’t break their focus.

“I was really surprised the background noises didn’t make them lose their focus. It’s a new space and experience and I feel they really enjoyed it,” she said.

The new location and time brought out a few new faces for story time and Martinez hopes attendance continues to grow as the program expands.

Andy Ortiz, senior administrative analyst for the Quality of Life Department said the hope is to hold a story time on a weekly basis in the alley. Frugal Frigate and a few other local businesses are also interested in partnering up for the outside readings.

Story Time at A.K. Smiley will continue with its regularly scheduled times. Story Time in the alley is slated to continue from 10:30 to 11 a.m. each Tuesday. Times may be changed as the program expands.

The Orange Street Alley is between Orange and Fifth streets in downtown Redlands.

To learn more about the program or for Story Time information, call A.K. Smiley Library at 909-798-7565.