Story Time Success: A Practical Guide for Librarians

(Hardback)

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Description

Story time is a popular activity in public libraries. Unfortunately, many librarians (and not just childrens librarians) are thrust into the role of providing this service have not taken a course or had the necessary experience of performing story times. Story times are so popular that they are now offered to children of many ages, not just to preschoolers. This book will help librarians who have never done story time to learn to promote, plan, and perform story times, and will be useful to experienced librarians to build on their story time repertoires. Because story times are essential components of library service to children and in such demand, in many libraries, even librarians who have never done story time before are being asked to step into that role. Story Time Success: A Practical Guide for Librarians is comprehensive handbook which can help any librarian learn to promote, plan, and perform story times even with no prior training or experience. Key elements include: Customizable planning templates Hints for choosing appropriate books and other materials Suggestions for overcoming performance anxiety Troubleshooting for common story time problems and pitfalls Evaluation rubrics for performers and supervisors Veterans and beginners alike will find many useful pointers for establishing and improving their story time skills and repertoires.

Reviews

Storytimes have a long history in library-program repertories and continue to serve as an important early literacy experience. This book provides a straightforward guide to planning and implementing basic library storytime programs for preschoolers. This book presents a traditional view of preschooler storytime programs. Technology is included in terms of communications channels, but otherwise, it has a low profile. Fitzgerald begins by explaining storytimes and their purpose. Then she explains how to schedule and promote library storytimes, including a comparison of an informative and uninformative flyer. . . There is a useful annotated list of stories for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers as well as appropriate songs and rhymes. The last chapter addresses typical problems that might arise during storytimes: disruptive children and adults, safety and security issues, scheduling and registration issues, early career issues, and health concerns. . . .The writing is very accessible and practical. This resource is a decent starting place for a programming coordinator to plan and deliver a successful basic library storytime. * Booklist *
Fitzgerald, a former librarian in New York and Washington, D.C., provides a resource, especially suited for beginning librarians or paraprofessionals as she covers the key points of creating, promoting, and performing storytimes.... Fitzgerald adds value with detailed information about setting up a room for more effective audience participation and using props and crafts to provide social opportunities for listeners. The section on outreach mentions making connections with schools and daycares and also suggests looking into local business, rec centers, hospitals, and religious organizations as possible places to actively bring storytime into the community. Advice on the actual performance, such as dealing with performance anxiety, managing audience behavior (with specific examples), and controlling your voice, provide tips pointed towards the first-time storyteller, while guidance on issues such as program registration and cancellations, safety and security, and addressing concerns with caregivers speak to larger challenges a librarian may face. Suggestions for themes and books, program templates, and an index are included. * The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books *

Author Bio

Katie Fitzgerald holds a bachelors degree in English from Vassar College and a masters degree in information science from the University at Albany, State University of New York. She has worked in the childrens departments of large and small libraries in Albany, New York; Walden, New York; and Washington, D.C., and she writes about story time materials and practices on her blog, Story Time Secrets (storytimesecrets.blogspot.com). She is also a regular contributor to LibraryAdventure.com; and has been featured on WhatToExpect.com and in Washington Parent magazine.