Virtual Storytimes: A Practical Guide for Librarians

by Rebecca Ogle

Overview

This is the first book to provide practical guidance for library staff on virtual storytime planning and production. Learn how to design virtual youth services tailored to patrons in different communities, and how virtual programs serve as a form of community outreach.

Included in this guide:

• Case studies of successful virtual storytime programs
• Creative examples of potential programs, which can be developed and adapted
• Simple tips on how to increase production value, regardless of available space and equipment
• Features of virtual storytime software with which presenters should familiarize themselves
• A comprehensive list of websites, software applications, and assets for creating and sharing virtual programs
• An overview of laws concerning online privacy and the use of copyrighted materials in virtual storytimes
• Background information and talking points addressing the benefits and drawbacks of screen time for young patrons
• Sample training syllabus, outline, script, and reflection questions for virtual storytime staff

Children’s librarians will find useful case studies, tips, and resources in this volume.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538158517
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	07/26/2022
Series:	Practical Guides for Librarians , #80
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	156
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Rebecca Ogle began her career as a content writer and digital marketer, before pursuing her passion for library services. Before COVID-19, she focused her outreach efforts on inclusivity and accessibility to literacy programs and resources for low-income and unhoused families. When Phoenix Public Libraries closed to the public, the Early Literacy Outreach Team (ELOT) sprang into action researching and developing a wide range of virtual programs, both pre-recorded and live. Rebecca and her ELOT colleagues earned a Service Excellence Award from the City of Phoenix for their creativity and efficacy adapting library programs for online patrons. While every member of ELOT, and a number of Phoenix Public Library branch staff, brought their own strengths to virtual storytimes, Rebecca discovered a particular knack for engaging audiences in her low-key, soothing style. She is passionate about equity, inclusivity, and access to library resources, and believes virtual storytimes can truly make a difference in every community.

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Choosing A Virtual Format

Identifying audiences and developing goals

Synchronous versus asynchronous storytimes

Exploration of virtual formats

Chapter 2: Technological Considerations

Hardware requirements and recommendations for library staff and patrons

Accessibility best practices

Web conferencing software features

Image, presentation, and video software features

File storage and organization

Chapter 3: Legal Issues

Privacy Laws

Storytime and Fair Use

Public domain and original content

Creative Commons and attribution

Copyright and permissions

Avoiding issues with copyright algorithms

Chapter 4: Planning and Preparation

Planning: Now With More Technology

Production quality tips

Planning interactive virtual storytimes

Book and media selection

Preparing outlines and scripts

Chapter 5: Showtime

Strategies for common challenges

Best practices during synchronous storytimes

Best practices for recording

Finishing touches in editing

Chapter 6: Engaging Staff

Key competencies for virtual storytime staff

Screen time and media mentorship

Training for virtual storytime

Avoiding and addressing staff burnout

Chapter 7: Outreach and Promotion

Creating meaningful partnerships

The marketing funnel

Digital marketing best practices

Social media engagement methods

Appendix A: Software and Websites for Content Creators

Appendix B: Case Study: Read With Us TV Series

Appendix C: Case Study: Daniel Tiger Storytime on Facebook Live

Appendix D: Sample Outline, Script, and Reflection

Editorial Reviews

Even as libraries have reopened their physical doors after the COVID-19 lockdown, virtual storytimes have continued. This volume, part of Rowman & Littlefield's Practical Guides for Librarians series, helps library workers develop and deliver effective virtual storytimes. Author Ogle is a tech-savvy public and school librarian who works with youth, and this book draws upon her library experience and that of her colleagues…. Ogle includes many practical, detailed tips including addressing issues of accessibility and inclusion. The book can be read as a whole or used as a reference manual when developing virtual storytimes.

Booklist

The pandemic added a new option for storytimes and other library activities by opening the world of virtual programming. From policy to planning and execution, through marketing and legal issues, Ogle shows how virtual storytimes can enhance and expand program accessibility. She answers the who, what, why, and how to help librarians expand early literacy opportunites for young children whether programs are live streamed, recorded on video, presented through an app, and are synchronous, or asynchronous.

Jeanette Larson

Even as libraries have reopened their physical doors after the COVID-19 lockdown, virtual storytimes have continued. This volume, part of Rowman & Littlefield's Practical Guides for Librarians series, helps library workers develop and deliver effective virtual storytimes. Author Ogle is a tech-savvy public and school librarian who works with youth, and this book draws upon her library experience and that of her colleagues.... Ogle includes many practical, detailed tips including addressing issues of accessibility and inclusion. The book can be read as a whole or used as a reference manual when developing virtual storytimes.

The pandemic added a new option for storytimes and other library activities by opening the world of virtual programming. From policy to planning and execution, through marketing and legal issues, Ogle shows how virtual storytimes can enhance and expand program accessibility. She answers the who, what, why, and how to help librarians expand early literacy opportunites for young children whether programs are live streamed, recorded on video, presented through an app, and are synchronous, or asynchronous.

From the Publisher