It seems that librarians fall into one of two camps in their selection of books for storytime. They are either the “Careful Preppers” or the “Free and Wild.” Neither way is altogether right. You don’t want to spend SO much time just the right themes, books and stretchers that you have little time for anything else. Nor do you want to go into a storytime flying blind. You should, at a very minimum, read all the way through your storytime books before presenting them. (True confessions- I have not followed my own advice. It makes for an edge-of-your-seat storytime experience).
Author: Liza Purdy
Essential Storytime Skills: Handling Grown-Ups
All children’s librarians have been there. You’re at the front of the room, trying to interest a group of preschoolers in a carefully curated selection of storytime books and songs, and rhymes. But there’s a current of conversation coming from a corner of the room. Is it a parent interacting with their child? No! It’s two adults carrying on a conversation with one another without regard to the disruption they are causing. Or how about this one? You’ve put on a song, and it is dance time! But wait! There are at least five caregivers who are glued to their phones. You try to make eye contact, but you’re not on their radar at all. It’s so frustrating! We expect inattention from children. It is developmentally appropriate. But adults are a whole different matter. What are some tips and tricks to get adults engaged in storytime?
Essential Storytime Skills: Leading Group Singing
I started a series last month on essential storytime skills. First, we looked at prep work that you can do to raise your confidence as a singer. Now, we’re going to look at some important ways to successfully lead groups of people in singing.
The Art of Storytime Part 1: Singing
Singing is an essential element in storytime. How do you prepare?
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Summer Reading!
It’s that time of year again! The displays in your library might tell you that it’s nearly winter and the clothes on your body might be wooly, but your children’s librarian brain is tuned into SUMMER!
Children’s Librarians, I love you!
I had the tremendous pleasure of attending the ALSC National Institute in Kansas City from September 29 to October 2. The educational programs were wonderful! If you haven’t had a chance to look through the slide decks, check them out here. The authors and speakers at the General Sessions were AMAZING. The line-up included Christina Soontornvat, Angela Joy, Adam Gidwitz, Hena Khan, B.B. Alston, Julian Randall and Young Vo. ALSC was not playing with their panelists! I came home with a renewed appreciation for kid lit writers, and a ton of new books to read. While the programs and panelists were wonderful, my very favorite take-away from the National Institute was how much I love Children’s Librarians! It was amazing to be joined together with people who have committed their professional lives to “engage communities to build healthy, successful futures for all children” (ALSC Vision Statement). We are such a positive,…
Children’s Librarians, I love you!
I had the tremendous pleasure of attending the ALSC National Institute in Kansas City from September 29 to October 2. The educational programs were wonderful! If you haven’t had a chance to look through the slide decks, check them out here. The authors and speakers at the General Sessions were AMAZING. The line-up included Christina Soontornvat, Angela Joy, Adam Gidwitz, Hena Khan, B.B. Alston, Julian Randall and Young Vo. ALSC was not playing with their panelists! I came home with a renewed appreciation for kid lit writers, and a ton of new books to read. While the programs and panelists were wonderful, my very favorite take-away from the National Institute was how much I love Children’s Librarians! It was amazing to be joined together with people who have committed their professional lives to “engage communities to build healthy, successful futures for all children” (ALSC Vision Statement). We are such a positive,…
Project Management for Children’s Librarians Who Hate Details: You Can Do It!
I have undertaken a really big grant project in my current position. It launches tomorrow. It was supposed to launch last week, but I got Covid the week before, which could not have been worse timing. I had to push everything back a week, which was really frustrating and disappointing. I want everything to START already!