Local Heroes at Library; 3 Storytimes for Kids a Week

The Imperial Beach Fire Department planned to read for about 50 local students at the library earlier this month but were a few minutes late because they had to respond to a medical emergency, said firefighter Craig Weaver.

When they did get there, firefighters took questions, read stories and gave kids a tour of their fire truck and equipment.

Among dozens of activities hosted by the San Diego County Library, Imperial Beach branch every month, storytime is held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week.

The second Wednesday of the month is Local Heroes Storytime where children of all ages can hear prominent and visible members of the community read stories.

Past local heroes include a bomb squad, sheriff's deputies, a postmaster, Border Patrol officers and members of the Navy who let kids climb on a 30-foot patrol boat. 

Imperial Beach lifeguards may visit for Local Heroes Storytime in April, said librarian June Engel.

"It's fun to be with the kids and interact with the children so we have the chance to see their expression and hopefully give a good, positive image of the fire department and that we're not something to be afraid of," Weaver said.

Local Heroes Storytime is every second Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m.

Preschool Storytime is every Wednesday at 10 a.m. except when Local Heroes Storytime is being held.

Toddler Storytime is every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and is an interactive reading session that promotes social, motor and cognitive skills with reading, singing and dancing, Engel said.

Bilingual Storytime is every Monday at 5 p.m. for preachool-age children. Stories are read in Spanish and English. Starbucks donates chocolate milk or hot cocoa for Bilingual Storytime.