CAPE MAY — All good stories have one thing in common: they must come to a close.
For the past 50 years, Anita DeSatnick has been leading Miss Anita’s Storytime at the Cape May branch library. Her final story hour is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. May 27.
“Story hour to me has been a joy and an opportunity to meet so many families,” DeSatnick said. “Especially the generations of children and grandchildren spanning the 50 years. Bringing my sons when they were young, and my grandchildren as well, was a special joy to me.”
DeSatnick said each week during story hour, they would talk about that day’s weather, read simple classic books, sing fun songs and enjoy puzzle time. The books included various themes, including different holidays.
“The children leave with a special sticker, and many times, with a hug for Miss Anita,” she added.
The hour spent with the children was interactive and often featured local guests to meet the children, including members of the Cape May fire and police departments.
Branch Manager Nena Wise said having interactive programs is important to show the library is not just a place to check books in and out.
“It’s more of a community center, and we want to have inclusive programming for all ages and all people,” Wise said. “DeSatnick began her story hour program in 1976, before the Cape May City Library branch became part of the county library system. The county kept her on because the kids loved her and she was a staple in our library.”
Cape May has been committed to preserving its Black history and creating functional community spaces.
The former Franklin Street School reopened as the new city library in 2024. Before the library found its current home in the renovated school, it had two previous locations.
The first was opened in the basement of City Hall, the former Cape May High School.
In 1982, the library was moved to the corner of Hughes and Ocean streets, a building that was previously a Bell Telephone switching station.
“Miss Anita has at least three generations under her belt,” Wise said. “Even during [the pandemic], she had story hour in Convention Hall when the library was not open to the public.”
One of DeSatnick’s sons, Chad DeSatnick, said his mom’s experience as an elementary education teacher has proven to be a win-win for parents and children visiting the library for several decades.
“Story hour has had a positive impact on multiple generations over the last 50 years,” he said. “Friends of mine attended and have since brought their children to see Miss Anita’s kindness and gentle way.”
Wise said that Miss Anita has touched many lives, with families returning with their own children or grandchildren to sit in on the story time.
“For generations of local children and families, Anita DeSatnick has brought the magic of reading to life through story hour,” Mayor Zack Mullock said. “Her warmth, creativity and dedication helped inspire a love of books, imagination and learning in countless young minds throughout our community.”
Mullock thanked DeSatnick, on behalf of the city of Cape May, for the joy, kindness and long-lasting memories she has given to so many children over the years.
Despite the end of a beloved story hour, Wise said the county library has children’s librarians who offer story times at different branches. Visit www.cmcl.org for more information.
