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We recently evaluated the impact of our pre-filmed Online Storytime program that we offered for the first 6 months of the pandemic and here's what we learnt:
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#librarieschangelives @ALIAVic @ALIANational @PubLibrariesVic
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#librarieschangelives @ALIAVic @ALIANational @PubLibrariesVic
We chose pre-filmed Storytime so families could watch at their convenience and stay connected in their own timeline.
“It has helped maintain a connection and a memory of visiting the library for my 2yo”
“It provides a connection to the library that we would otherwise miss”
“It has helped maintain a connection and a memory of visiting the library for my 2yo”
“It provides a connection to the library that we would otherwise miss”
We ensured that ALL our Storytelling staff, including our contractors who run our CALD sessions, were recorded so nobody missed out.
“A sense of connection with some of our favourite librarians that we miss so much”
“A sense of connection with some of our favourite librarians that we miss so much”
While all our pgms were suspended at the onset of the pandemic, we felt that Storytime was one of the most critical to adapt for online.
“My daughter can keep learning and feeling connected to our familiar people and rituals”
“It made the kids feel like life is still normal”
“My daughter can keep learning and feeling connected to our familiar people and rituals”
“It made the kids feel like life is still normal”
Parents often bring their children to library programs for their own partial respite. We learned that this is just as important when parents are in lockdown at home.
“A huge help, especially when childcare was closed”
“A huge help, especially when childcare was closed”
Many parents specifically want non screen resources, but when it comes to early literacy we learned that parents may be more relaxed.
“It gave us a guilt free screen time excuse that benefited both kids and parents”
“It gave us a guilt free screen time excuse that benefited both kids and parents”
One of the most astounding things we learned was that by offering Online Storytime from the onset of the pandemic, it simply made people feel valued.
“That you persevere to educate our children on the importance of reading”
"It made us feel like someone cared"
“That you persevere to educate our children on the importance of reading”
"It made us feel like someone cared"
What we learned from the deaf community (including parents and educators) was that Online Storytime with an Auslan interpreter was one of the most valued resources we provided.
“Our (deaf) community has never had such good access to stories until now (provided by the library)”
“Our (deaf) community has never had such good access to stories until now (provided by the library)”
continued:
“Allowed my deaf daughter to access a wider range of stories, increasing her language access and development”
“It has helped me learn to read Auslan as I am hearing impaired and am learning this beautiful language”
“Allowed my deaf daughter to access a wider range of stories, increasing her language access and development”
“It has helped me learn to read Auslan as I am hearing impaired and am learning this beautiful language”
