The Plan
If you're part of a library system have each branch put together one themed story time kit. Breaking up the work will not only mean spending less time on the task, but will also result in a variety of kits being made.
If you are not part of a library system, create kits when you can. After a period of time, they will add up.
The Kit
Each kit should contain the contents it would take to present a story time. Themed kits would be a great way to start putting kits together. Kits could contain books, songs, flannel board stories, puppets, puppet shows, craft ideas, etc. stored in a labeled tote would make it easy for staff to locate. All staff would have access to a list of kits to request from.
The Purpose
The purpose of each kit would be to provide the library system with options to choose from for story times and not have to worry about finding time to create a whole new story time. Kits could travel from location to location saving staff time while increasing the story time programming options. If a library system is able to work together to share resources, everyone (staff and patrons) would benefit from it.
Does anyone already create kits for their library? What is your process for creating and sharing them?
We have story kits at our library for the public instead of library staff. The children's librarian likes them because it is like duplicating herself for the families who can't make it to story time.
ReplyDeleteWe had a grant that paid for a part time employee to make about 75 kits at once. Since then we just add kits when we can. We have about 150 now and they're very popular with families.
Having kits available for patrons to check out is still a great way of promoting the library. As you pointed out it is a way of duplicating library staff for those libraries that are unable to present the story times themselves. Sounds like the kits are a big hit at your library!
ReplyDeleteOur library district has storytime kits for staff & we also have "Discovery Kits" that are checked out to community organizations: preschools, daycares, and playgroups. They are full of books, games, fingerplays, puzzles, all sorts of things. This was all done for an outreach grant for early literacy and they are quite popular in the community.
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