FAQ

What is Storyville?This educational space is designed for children ages 5 and under and their parents to engage in active learning together. 90% of a child’s brain develops within the first 5 years of life. Storyville offers a wide variety of activities that have been professionally designed to encourage reading, writing, vocabulary, letter and number recognition, and narrative skills, as well as age appropriate hands on offerings that introduce science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills. Children who engage in purposeful play in their earliest years are proven to display greater comprehension, vocabulary, and cognitive skills by the time they enter kindergarten

Where is Storyville located?Storyvilles are located at the Montague, Muskegon Heights, Norton Shores, and Ravenna branches of the Muskegon Area District Library.

When can I visit Storyville?You can visit Storyville during regular library hours. Admission to Storyville ends 15 or 30 minutes prior to closing. Admission is free.

Why can’t older children use Storyville?Though Storyville may look like a play area for families with older children, it is actually an enhanced learning and play environment specifically designed for young children who have not yet begun school. While children who have entered school might enjoy some of the features of Muskegon Storyville, they are at a different developmental level than the children for whom Muskegon Storyville was designed.

What can my older child do while his younger sibling and I are using Storyville?The library has a full-service children's area where your older child can read, use library computers, and engage with other library services while you and your preschooler visit Muskegon Storyville. Please note that the library service policy requires that children age 12 and under be supervised by an adult at all times.

How do you keep Storyville Clean?To maintain an organized and clean environment, Storyville will be tidied throughout the day and cleaned frequently. All visitors are encouraged to use our materials appropriately and put them away before moving to a new area. Visitors are invited to place any items they feel need additional cleaning in the writing stations.

How many chaperones do I need for a group visit?We adhere to a ratio of 1 adult for every 3 children, so they may be actively engaged with the children in their care. Multiple groups of 4 or less may not all be able to enter the area at the same time if there is a waiting list.