What to expect from the library while you’re expecting! How a Family Friendly Prenatal Storytime Program Empowered a Community of New Parents and Welcomed them into the library

Do you have patrons who are currently expecting at your library? Will they become parents for the first time, inquiring about programs and resources surrounding their pregnancy? There’s now a library program designed with them in mind, besides just books for them to check out! A play off of Heidi Murkoff’s book for expecting parents, join us in this session as you’ll have an opportunity to learn how to plan and start a prenatally focused library program that will help to essentially deliver relevant information for new parents during their pre-natal period, all in one place! A potential premier program that libraries can offer and introduce to new families right before Baby Time! From planning a fun story time routine by incorporating enriching early literacy practices for their little one while in utero to connecting them with the appropriate community organizations, you’ll have a memorable program that’s sure to deliver!

Learning Objectives:

Presenters:

Brieanna “Brie” Chillious is a New York transplant living in Tucson, Arizona, currently working as a Children’s Services Librarian with the Pima County Public Library. Brie was also the recipient of AzLA’s Library Outreach Services Award in 2024. She holds both an MSIS degree in Information Science and a BA in Art & Art History from the University at Albany in upstate New York, as well as an Associate’s Degree in Gallery Management from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. In her free time, Brie can be found at home sewing up her Miss Frizzle inspired storybook dresses for the babies and toddlers in her story times, as well as traveling and visiting libraries (big and small!) in different cities on what she calls her “bookcations!”

 Jennifer Jordebrek, a former children’s librarian, is currently the assistant director at the North Liberty Library in North Liberty, Iowa. She has worked in public libraries since 2002 and held many positions, from shelver to director. Jennifer has presented at state and national conferences and online for Regional Library Systems on Stork Storytime, her passion project. She is a fierce advocate for lifelong learning and enjoys change. Jennifer and her husband live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and are navigating their latest change in life, empty nesting.