It was puzzling. After decades of presenting storytime for children in various parks around the county, the once-popular events just weren't attracting children the way they used to. Last summer it could be pretty disappointing to sit and stew in the heat on a Tuesday morning at a park in Boonsboro or Hancock, and it'd just be me and the storyteller and sometimes one or two children and their custodians.
So, this summer we tried something new, and teamed up with the folks at the Valley Mall and their "Mommy & Me" program. Every week, parents and children show up, get discount coupons for lunch in the food court, sign up for cool raffle prizes, and enjoy storytime in air conditioned comfort. And it's not just dozens of families, but rather dozens of dozens. Around a hundred on a good day. 
Some people say that's a shame, to move out of the park. I guess people just don't live that way any more. We've found success in going to where the people are already, not just the Valley Mall but also at Municipal Stadium before Hagerstown Suns baseball games. Kudos to the Nora Roberts Foundation for sticking with us while we refine our methods!
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