Interactive Online Storytimes
Memphis Public Libraries
Innovation Synopsis
We have developed several interactive story times. Happy Hour Story Time with Lovie and Happy Caturday with Grady are presented weekly and monthly, respectively, Our librarian readers and their pet hosts introduce real animals, special guests, live original children’s music, award winning e-books and English-Spanish bilingual activities.
Challenge/Opportunity
In March 2020, our libraries closed to the public due to COVID-19. The library website had already developed into a full-service digital branch of the library, providing access to e-Books, databases and myriad other services. However, we had no defined forum for interactive programming. Our challenge was to create and present interactive content with available resources to offer programs in a way that engages online participants and helps families stay connected with the library until we resume in-person programs.
Key Elements of Innovation
We use Microsoft Teams and our OverDrive/Libby kids eBook collection ton ensure that books are formatted perfectly via the Read in Browser feature.
Interactivity: participants can share camera and microphones to maximize interaction. All songs performed contain thematic elements related to the book and involve interaction.
Partnerships: Memphis Library Foundation and St. Jude partnered to present stories to six daycare classes.
Achieved Outcomes
To date we have conducted 56 episodes, four of which were bilingual to Commemorate National Hispanic Heritage month. Additionally, we have conducted three training sessions with children's librarians to facilitate expansion of the program. We have also created a partnership via our Memphis Library Foundation with ALSAC/St. Jude. Volunteers have presented virtual story times to 6 daycare centers.
