On this day, Boyd spent her last story time in the Willow Glen branch enthusiastically singing "Bingo" and "Little Rabbit Foo Foo" with more than 30 rapt children and parents.

"It's a very intimate environment," said Jasna Knowles, who has brought her daughter, now three years old, for the last two years.

"People come specifically for Kathy," added parent Hiromi Grzymala about the packed room with children clustered at Boyd's feet. "It's amazing that she can grab children's attention for half an hour."

Boyd combined singing with hand motions, reading books with different voices or animal noises and standing up and shaking out her arms and legs to keep the little ones attentive.

Boyd takes pleasure in "watching kids get excited about books and seeing their eyes light up."

On her last day Boyd went beyond the call of duty, handing out a parting gift to each of her young readers: a heart-shaped necklace.

As she distributed the 30 pastel-colored, bubble-shaped hearts that were each hanging on a string, she told the youngsters she wanted them to remain close to her heart.

Parent Katherine Doar used to bring her daughter, now seven, to listen to Boyd during story time and has continued the tradition by bringing her 4 1Ž2-year-old son, Jacob, who likes the "funny stories."

"She's so welcoming to kids; she talks to them and cares about what they care about," Doar said. "She's also an incredible resource for parents."

Boyd returns the appreciation of parents who are supportive of children's reading.

She's made good contacts in the Willow Glen area, with parents inviting her to read at children's birthday parties. Boyd will be a storyteller dressed as a witch for a private Halloween party this month.

Ironically, it's Boyd's love for the children's library programs that has taken her away from Willow Glen.

After suggesting the idea of a program librarian to coordinate children's library programs citywide, Boyd said her name kept coming up for the job.

While she is excited about the new position, the job transition comes toward the end of her career as a librarian, with retirement only a year away. She had hoped to continue working full time in Willow Glen until then, but the opportunity to help develop a citywide children's program was too difficult to pass up. Since her new position has never existed before, Boyd is unsure how involved she will remain as an active storyteller, but she plans to do it even after she retires.

On a temporary basis Boyd hopes to take her story time to the Rosegarden library, where she will work until the branch begins renovation sometime this winter. Susan Eby will take over as children's librarian and continue the story time on Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

On Boyd's last day at the Willow Glen branch, a reception with cookies and juice was held, with parents coming up to thank Boyd and say goodbye.

During the reception Boyd demonstrated her affinity with young readers, getting down on her knees to be at eye level for a photo with Jacob Doar, who said, "I'm small because I'm four."

Another preschooler valued Boyd's storytelling so much that she wanted to pay her with pennies, but was unable to because they had fallen out of her purse, which held a cookie and a "credit card."

"That's OK, it's free today," said Boyd to the child.

For more information about story time at the Rosegarden, call the library at 408.998.1511. For Willow Glen programs, call 408.998.2022.