New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael reading during a Storytime at the ACPL New Haven Library Branch. Courtesy photo.
Today, New Haven Indiana Mayor Steve McMichael returned to the Allen County Public Library New Haven Branch to serve as a special guest host for the library’s weekly children’s Storytime.
City of New Haven Indiana news release:
Mayor McMichael hosts Storytime at New Haven library McMichael returns as special guest after first appearance in 2024
New Haven, Indiana (October 7, 2026) – New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael returned to the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) – New Haven Branch today to serve as a special guest host for the library’s weekly children’s Storytime. The interactive session brought together local children, parents, and early childhood caregivers for a morning dedicated to literacy, music, and community connection.
In recognition of National Fire Prevention Month, Mayor McMichael partnered with ACPL youth librarians to read the popular children’s book Hamsters Don’t Fight Fires. Through the engaging story, the young audience learned valuable lessons about bravery, teamwork, and what it takes to stay safe, which McMichael reinforced by leading the children in themed rhymes and songs.
“Early reading habits form the foundation for lifelong learning, and combining Storytime with Fire Prevention Month is a perfect way to teach important safety lessons in a fun, memorable way,” said Mayor Steve McMichael. “It’s always a privilege to spend time with our youngest residents and their families. Programs like these at our local ACPL branch don’t just teach children to love books—they weave the tight-knit community fabric that makes New Haven such a wonderful place to live.”
The New Haven Fire Department celebrates National Fire Prevention Month with invited guests. Courtesy photo.
Today’s appearance follows the highly successful reception of Mayor McMichael’s inaugural guest-hosted Storytime in 2024. Due to the overwhelming response from local families during that initial visit, the Mayor’s office and ACPL coordinators made it a priority to bring the civic leader back to the reading room for this special October event.
ACPL Storytimes are structured specifically for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. By combining physical books with active songs and play, the programs help early learners naturally build vital communication, vocabulary, and social skills in a shared, family-friendly environment.
Due to high demand and limited seating capacities inside branch meeting rooms, the library notes that advance registration is frequently required for future children’s programming. Residents can find upcoming schedules, registration forms, and additional branch activities online at the Allen County Public Library Events Calendar or the main ACPL Children’s Programming Page.
About The City of New Haven
New Haven is a vibrant community of approximately 16,000 people in eastern Allen County. New Haven prides itself on being a community that serves. The McMichael administration is focused on making New Haven the best place to live, work, play, run a business, or visit in Northeast Indiana. More information can be found at the City’s website newhaven.in.gov. If you have any questions or non-emergency issues, please contact the City of New Haven at (260) 748-7000 or by email at info@newhaven.in.gov.
About the Allen County Public Library
The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) has fostered lifelong learning and discovery in northeast Indiana for more than 135 years. The ACPL consists of fourteen branches throughout Allen County, serving more than one million visitors per year. The ACPL’s collection includes more than 3.9 million items, with a circulation total of 4.6 million items borrowed annually. It also houses The Genealogy Center, the nation’s largest public genealogy research center, and The Rolland Center for Lincoln Research, consisting of more than 30,000 artifacts related to President Abraham Lincoln.
