It’s story time at Cottonwood Shores library

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

COTTONWOOD SHORES — Sometimes, it takes living a lifetime before getting back to what you are meant to do

On March 1, Cottonwood Shores resident Anne Kay gets that chance when she and the Cottonwood Shores Public Library host the first Children’s Story Hour from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

“My first job when I was 16 years old was in a library,” said Kay, the library’s volunteer children’s coordinator. “Now, I feel like I’m back doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Kay recently moved to Cottonwood Shores from California, where she was a successful businesswoman. During many of her evening walks around the community, she noticed a lot of children out playing, even into the night. Kay realized they really didn’t have anything to do, so she began to brainstorm ideas that would provide the children with activities.

As a voracious reader herself, Kay often turned to books as a youth to escape her world or find adventure and excitement.

So she came up with the idea of Children’s Story Hour.

“I wanted something that gave the kids a safe place to come and, hopefully, fall in love with reading like I did,” Kay said. “When I was growing up, I would walk a mile-and-a-half to the library about every other week, check out the maximum number of books allowed and read them. When things got rough at home, I could just escape in a book. They took me places.”

For an hour each Saturday starting March 1, area children can enjoy stories, books and fun at the Cottonwood Shores Public Library, 4111 Cottonwood Shores Drive. The kick-off celebration on March 1 includes games, prizes, snacks and fun activities. Kay even spent her own money to have special T-shirts made up for the event that will be available as long as supplies last.

When Kay first spoke with some people about the idea, she ran into naysayers. Some folks told her nobody would show up or she was wasting her time. Kay didn’t see it that way.

“If it helps only one child, then that’s enough,” she said. But, she hopes the program will open a world to many children.

“We just want to show the kids that somebody cares and that there’s hope. Hope is something we all need,” she said.

Other people jumped in to offer their assistance. Many friends asked what they could do. So Kay came up with homework buddies, who are adults who help the kids with schoolwork.

“You see, people do want to help,” she added.

While she made a living and a career in the business world, Kay finds herself where she’s supposed to be: surrounded by books and children.

“At almost 65, I’m right back where I’m supposed to be,” she said. “This is my purpose.”

The library also starts holding Saturday hours from noon-5 p.m. March 1 along with its Tuesday-Friday hours of noon-6 p.m.

Call (512) 755-1313 for more information.

daniel@thepicayune.com