Virtual Programming & Outreach

Virtual Storytimes

From the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a Virtual Storytime Services Resource Guide: http://www.ala.org/alsc/virtual-storytime-services-resource-guide

Storyline Online – The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. [These readings can be played/scheduled by YOU.] Each reading is accompanied by an activity guide. Invite your community to join you on Facebook at a particular time. Listen to the book, read by a celebrity. Then, use the activity guide to encourage kids to do an activity – led by you, their local librarian, as a group.

Video Editing

Video Basics 101 (with Cherilyn Wise from the Cuba Circulating Library):

Slides for Video Basics 101: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KffY1ZkI2EFHD_0XmkbVMPFEu-xXt62KSVuzQ0vZkuk/edit#slide=id.g840998e3d6_0_14

Check out this great webinar on video creation from Jester Jim’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/jC3r1PgDqRY

Video Accessibility

As you are creating videos to share with your patrons, consider addressing accessibility by adding closed captioning. Tips for various platforms are included below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/427723640933279?helpref=uf_permalink

YouTube: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2734796?hl=en

Zoom: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/207279736-Getting-started-with-closed-captioning

Copyright Considerations

Please check out these resources for IMPORTANT information about copyright issues related to hosting virtual storytimes:

“Tackling Copyright Concerns When Taking Storytime Online” 

ALA LibGuide: Copyright for Libraries

It is ok to post your wifi network name and password to social media! 

Leave your wifi on and publicize the wifi password on your library website, social media, and on signs posted to library doors & windows in order to allow patrons to access the internet from your parking lot.