Pioneer Library System

Cleveland Area Rapid Transit and the Norman Public Library will be turning wheels and pages with Story Time on the Bus the first Saturday of the month. The story time, designed for children ages 2 to 5 years with their parent or caregiver, is part of a growing partnership between the bus system and the library.

"We are always looking for ways to take our library services beyond the library walls," says Norman children's librarian Charlotte Gordon. "We have story time activities for children in schools and daycare centers all over the area. We even have a story time at Sooner Mall every Tuesday morning. Now, we are taking our show on the road by having a special story time on the bus."

The inaugural Story Time on the Bus will be Saturday, November 7. Space on the bus is limited so story time riders are encouraged to save a seat by registering in advance at the library or by calling 701-2600.

Story Time on the Bus riders should meet Gordon, or Ms. Charlotte as regular library visitors know her, at 11 a.m. at the bus stop on Webster Avenue on the west side of the library, 225 N. Webster in downtown Norman. Gordon and CART staff will explain bus procedures for first-time riders and will have a special gift for her story time participants.

Story Time on the Bus riders will board the bus at 11:10 a.m. As the bus takes them on a 45-minute ride, the children will listen to stories and sing songs before getting off the bus at the Main and Webster stop, one block from the library.

“Because we will be walking  back to the library, it is important that every child is accompanied by a parent or responsible adult for story time,” says Gordon.

Regular bus fares will apply, which are 50 cents for adults, 25 cents for children ages 6 to 17, seniors and those with disabilities, and free to kids under 6 years old.  "The library can help with the Story Time on the Bus fares for anyone who needs it. We wouldn’t want children to miss Story Time on the Bus because they did not have bus fare,” she adds.

Story Time on the Bus is part of the READ & RIDE collaboration between CART and the Pioneer Library System, designed to encourage use of the public library and public transportation.

CART spokesperson Kris Glenn said the initiative is an excellent way to engage both children and parents in two integral pillars in the community.

“Story Time on the Bus is a great opportunity for kids and adults alike to realize public transportation and the public library have so much to offer,” Glenn said. “CART goes so many places in Norman, including the library as well as other popular destinations for children.”

Gordon feels that the partnership between the library and CART benefits the community in many ways.

“Story Time on the Bus promotes books and reading, but it also encourages the use of public transportation, which is good for the economy and good for the environment. For me, as a librarian, it gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘access to information.’ The bus gives people access to the library. It stops right at our doorstep,” Gordon says.

The Main Street bus stops at the library at ten minutes after the hour, every hour from 7 a.m to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The library is on the N10 red route of the CART system. Visit

for more bus routes, exact stop times and bus stop locations. For more information about Read & Ride, contact either CART at 325-CART or the Norman Public Library.