FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2026
Symphony Story Time Coming to Six Libraries March 9-11
YORK, PA – York County Libraries and the York Symphony Orchestra (YSO) have partnered to create a musical story time experience for area children and their families. Symphony Story Time will be held at six library locations starting Monday, March 9 through Wednesday, March 11. During the program, a string trio will add music to the storytelling of “Oona” by Kelly DiPucchio; bringing the story alive through sound. Following the story, children and their families are invited to participate in an instrument petting zoo. There is no cost to attend, and registration is not required.
“Symphony Story Time really takes story time to the next level,” says York County Libraries Youth Services Director Mindy McDonnell. “It combines the fun and early literacy benefits of traditional story time with classical melodies performed by musicians with the York Symphony Orchestra. Not only will the music delight our young listeners, research shows that engaging with music offers children a myriad of educational benefits.”
Families are invited to attend Symphony Story Time at any of the following library locations. The program will be held on Monday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Red Land Community Library in Etters, and at 1:30 p.m. at Kaltreider-Benfer Library in Red Lion. On Tuesday, March 10, the story time starts at 10:15 a.m. at Guthrie Memorial Library in Hanover, and at 2:00 p.m. at Village Library in Jacobus. On Wednesday, March 11, Symphony Story Time is set for 10:30 a.m. at Dover Area Community Library, and at 4:00 p.m. at Martin Library in York.
“We are delighted to partner with the York Symphony Orchestra to offer this musical story time and instrument petting zoo for children and their families,” says York County Libraries President Robert F. Lambert. “The combination of the YSO’s musicians and YCL’s storytellers will create an immersive learning experience that will ignite imagination and curiosity.”
York County Libraries (YCL) strengthen the community and enrich individual lives. Their programs and services help community members build the five core literacies championed by the Pennsylvania Library Association PA Forward® program. In 2025, the libraries collectively hosted over 4,000 programs that helped nearly 100,000 children, teens, and adults build literacy skills. YCL’s thirteen library locations provide the latest in print and digital information, bestsellers, Wi-Fi, story times, book discussions, and databases. For more information about services, library hours, and locations, go to yorklibraries.org.
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At-A-Glance
York County Libraries, in partnership with the York Symphony Orchestra, are presenting a musical story time and instrument petting zoo at six library locations. The dates and times are as follows:
Monday, March 9, 10:30 a.m. Red Land Community Library, 70 Newberry Commons, Etters, PA
Monday, March 9, 1:30 p.m. Kaltreider-Benfer, 147 S. Charles St., Red Lion, PA
Tuesday, March 10, 10:15 a.m. Guthrie Memorial Library, 2 Library Place, Hanover, PA
Tuesday, March 10, 2:00 p.m. Village Library, 35-C North Main St., Jacobus, PA
Wednesday, March 11, 10:30 a.m. Dover Area Community Library, 3700-3 Davidsburg Rd., Dover, PA
Wednesday, March 11, 4:00 p.m. Martin Library, 159 East Market St., York, PA
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MEDIA CONTACT
Deb Sullivan
Community Relations Director
York County Libraries
dsullivan@yorklibraries.org