Public library service for the preschool child

Story telling is considered one of the oldest arts, but the preschool story hour for three to five year olds is relatively new in library work. Research indicates the first story hours for pre­schoolers began in the public library in the late 193O1s and the early 194O1s. Only very recently;\u27;) is there evidence of public \,\u27;\u27.:\u27. library service beyond the traditional print-oriented preschool story hour for the preschool child. For example, such federally funded experimental projects as the one developed and implemented by Erie Public Library, Erie, Pennsylvania in 1972 entitled 11Medi a Library for Preschoolers111 and the San Francisco Public Library\u27s 11Early Childhood Education Project112 started in 1972 are indications that these public libraries have seen the need and value of taking an active role in early childhood education