Although COVID-19 has been difÂfiÂcult, libraries conÂtinÂue their core misÂsion to proÂvide access to resources and serÂvices by improvÂing and increasÂing their digÂiÂtal serÂvices. StoÂryÂtime is a key serÂvice the pubÂlic library proÂvides to supÂport earÂly litÂerÂaÂcy, famÂiÂly engageÂment, and helpÂing chilÂdren find the joy of readÂing. Face-to-face interÂacÂtion helps to improve the conÂnecÂtion with famÂiÂlies — howÂevÂer, librarÂiÂans have had to tranÂsiÂtion stoÂryÂtime proÂgramÂming to a virÂtuÂal platÂform. Let’s take a look at some ways to have a sucÂcessÂful virÂtuÂal storytime.
Step 1: PerÂmisÂsion Guidelines
For now, many pubÂlishÂers have adaptÂed their perÂmisÂsion guideÂlines to allow eduÂcaÂtors and librarÂiÂans the opporÂtuÂniÂty to read stoÂries online. School Library JourÂnal has a great webÂsite with the latÂest updates and guideÂlines and pubÂlishÂers. It is imporÂtant to folÂlow these guideÂlines to comÂply with copyÂright law.
Step 2: VirÂtuÂal Platform
The choice on the virÂtuÂal platÂform will depend on the guideÂlines set by a pubÂlishÂer. In my expeÂriÂence, FaceÂbook Live is a popÂuÂlar virÂtuÂal platÂform that is easy to navÂiÂgate. Zoom and YouTube are othÂer virÂtuÂal platÂforms you can use. For this artiÂcle, I will proÂvide the steps for accessÂing and using FaceÂbook Live.
Step 3: Using FaceÂbook Live
To access FaceÂbook Live, go to your FaceÂbook page, click on write a post, and choose live video. Before startÂing your stoÂryÂtime, click on the magÂic wand on the left-hand corÂner. On the lowÂer right-hand corÂner, choose the tool option and then click on the secÂond flip option above. VisÂit the folÂlowÂing webÂsite from FaceÂbook for the FaceÂbook Live tutoÂrÂiÂal, and the blog Youth SerÂvices Shout-Out on how to rotate your screen so the audiÂence can see the stoÂry in the right direction.
Step 4: Tips and Tricks on ReadÂing the Book
PriÂor to using FaceÂbook Live, I turn on the record-a-video option in the camÂera app. This ensures that the lightÂing is good, and the sound has good qualÂiÂty. A few minÂutes priÂor to stoÂryÂtime, folÂlow step three to flip the screen so the audiÂence sees the book in the right direcÂtion. It is imporÂtant to project your voice a litÂtle loudÂer than you would durÂing a regÂuÂlar stoÂryÂtime at the library.
Step 5: AudiÂence Interaction:
The folÂlowÂing list proÂvides some sugÂgesÂtions on how best to interÂact with an online audience.
Have a great smile and welÂcome everyÂone at the start of the program.
- EncourÂage the audiÂence to add a comÂment in the post and do your best to respond either durÂing or after the program.
- Wear a funÂny hat or cosÂtume to comÂpleÂment the theme or just for fun.
- For rhyming or stoÂries with a beat, add instruÂments and encourÂage the audiÂence to sing along. A great examÂple is the book Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin and James Dean, HarperCollins.
- Add a pupÂpet or two.
- If you have a pet, conÂsidÂer holdÂing them at least at the start of stoÂryÂtime to welÂcome the audience.
- When using FaceÂbook Live test out some of the filÂters such as a backÂground or a costume.
Ten PerÂfect StoÂries to Read Online:
- The Very HunÂgry CaterÂpilÂlar by Eric CarÂle, Penguin
- The Frog in the Bog by KarÂma WilÂson and Joan Rankin, Atheneum
- How Do Dinosaur series by Jane Yolen and Marc Teague, Scholastic
- DragÂons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri, Penguin
- CorÂduroy by Don FreeÂman, Penguin
- PigÂgy and EleÂphant series by Mo Willems, Scholastic
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew DayÂwalt and OlivÂer JefÂfers, Penguin
- Click-Clack-Moo by Doreen Cronin and BetÂsy Lewin, Simon & Schuster
- Where is the Green Sheep by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek, Penguin
- The RainÂbow Fish by MarÂcus PfisÂter and J. AliÂson James, Simon & Schuster
Many authors are also proÂvidÂing virÂtuÂal stoÂryÂtimes. FolÂlow this link,
Please visÂit my library’s FaceÂbook Page @Ericson PubÂlic Library, to enjoy a virÂtuÂal stoÂryÂtime with me and my cat, OlivÂer Jones.