In 2020, the library had to quickly change how we offered storytime and other programming to patrons due to the pandemic. Within weeks of closing to the public, youth services staff began creating videos to post on the library’s YouTube channel. Between 2020 and 2022, I created over 150 videos.
I edited them using DaVinci Resolve at first, then switched to using Adobe Premiere Pro. Below are examples of my videos.
I planned a series of swap programs for the library to promote sustainability and bring people into the building after the pandemic closure. For each swap, we had two days where people could drop off donations of items for the swap. The following day, we opened up the room with the organized donations and gave away as many items as we could to anyone who could use them. Leftovers were donated to local charities.
During 2022, I planned four swaps: two clothing swaps, one toy, board game, and puzzle swap, and one art supply swap. These events brought hundreds of people into the library. Some feedback from attendees included:
“I was living in my car, and I had to get rid of two storage units full of crafts and this is helping me replenish my stock. I’m so grateful for this.”
“I didn’t used to have friends with kids, but I made friends by coming to the library every day. I love the library activities. This is so wonderful. Thank you.”
“I hope you do this again!”
Due to the pandemic, all library programming temporarily moved online. In addition to storytime, I did programs for children and families including:
Family Game Show-Book trivia game for the whole family
Draw a Story-Kids drew illustrations to go with a story. I edited the illustrations together into a video posted on the library’s YouTube channel
UNO Body, UNO Brain-The kids and I did different exercises according to which color UNO card I drew.
Simon Says Drawing-Kids drew pictures to go with different prompts I gave and whether or not I said, “Simon Says.”
3D Pop-Up Cards-For the library’s How To Festival. Showed participants of all ages how to create 3D pop up cards using basic art supplies.
Who Was Party-Activities and a craft for fans of the Who Was book series.
Passive programs included two digital escape rooms to go with the Summer Reading Program theme and a Back to School Scavenger Hunt to familiarize students with the library’s digital resources.
I also created a video for a virtual welcoming kit for new residents.
Due to the pandemic, all storytimes temporarily moved online. I did a weekly storytime for toddlers ages 2-3 with their families. Storytimes were done live via Zoom.
In this interview, I talk with Kate Ristau, author of the book Clockbreakers: Asterion’s Curse. This fantasy adventure story features Charlie, a girl who must battle evil in another world to save her father with the help of her friends and a Greek god.
Clockbreakers: Asterion’s Curse has been called “… a time travel book, … a heart travel book, a book about friendship, forgiveness, courage, and the powers waiting to be discovered in each one of us.” Tune in to hear thoughts about the importance of diversity in children’s books, learn how to successfully pair automatons with a Minotaur to build an army, and discover what a folklorist does in her spare time.
Originally aired on KBOO Community Radio, Portland, Oregon for the program Between the Covers. https://kboo.fm/media/54622-kate-ristau-clockbreakers-asterions-curse
DIY Race Tracks was an inexpensive STEM program. Children in grades 1 through 5 used recycled materials and supplies the library already owns to build their own race tracks. The only expense was buying race cars to test the tracks.
Farm Fun was for ages birth to 6 with family. There were stations set up throughout the room with sensory activities and crafts. 82 people attended this program.
Sensory Play-Silo and barn made from recycled containers, plastic animals, rice and beans
Sheep herding-Balloons decorated to look like sheep and plastic rulers to herd them into the pen
Crafts-Hand print chicken and hatching chick
Egg Gathering-Plastic shaker eggs in paper bag nests hidden throughout the room
Water Bin-Plastic fruits and vegetables and scrub brushes in a plastic tote filled with water
Open-Ended Play-Animal puppets and a puppet stage
Flannel Board-Felt barn, animals, and other farm pieces for imaginative play
Baby Corner-Simple puzzles, puppets, and scarves for babies to play
Pig Tail Sorting-Pig backsides cut from different colors of paper, muffin cups, pipe cleaners curled into tails, kid-friendly tweezers for sorting by color
Stick Puppets-Vegetables to plant and animals to move into the barn encouraged children to tell stories and practice narrative skills
Super Awesome Game Show was a combination of Family Feud, Scattergories, and trivia for kids and their adults. I booktalked some of my favorite children’s books, then formed teams. For each round, I named a category such as “books with a mouse as the main character” or “books with time travel.” The teams had one minute to come up with as many children’s book titles that fit the category as possible. A point was awarded for each correct answer and bonus points for unique answers and for naming the “secret book” in each category (books I booktalked at the beginning).
Parachute Party was a chance for kids ages 3 through 6 to play with everyone’s favorite: the parachute! I created a playlist and modeled movement activities to go with the songs. 38 children and parents listened to a story, moved with the music, then ended the hour with coloring or playing with scarves.
Sensory Bin Playground was a chance for kids ages 2 to 6 to experience play through touch. Stations included a water bin, digging for plastic animals in bins filled with oatmeal, rice, beans, and dirt, squeezing and writing letters in bags filled with tinted shaving cream and hair gel, and building with cloud dough made from flour and baby oil. 58 people attended this Saturday afternoon program.
Bethany Grabow- Enthusiastic Librarian 