Prior to the pandemic, the library provided weekly early literacy storytimes to over 125 students from local preschools. As a result of COVID-19 shutdowns, some of the community’s most underserved young learners lost access to this enriching educational activity. Library staff saw an opportunity to supply physical and electronic storytime materials and targeted storytime programming to preschools through weekly storytime kits, enabling children to continue to receive enrichment though literacy-based activities.

Partnered with 16 preschool classes to offer 225 students early literacy programming by providing:

• Storytime starter kits (with scarves, instruments, craft supplies, etc.)
• Weekly storytime kits, including:
  • Copy of highlighted book for each classroom library
  • Storytime plan with early literacy tip
  • Word of the week card for each student
  • Classroom rhyme card
  • Craft for each child
  • Link to recorded librarian-led storytime
• Bi-weekly circulating classroom book bins
• Gift books for each child

Since the inception of the program in April 2021, 5,862 storytime kit materials have been provided to preschools and storytime videos have reached 3,731 children. Directors thanked us for “this wonderful program,” and stated that “children and teachers enjoyed and learned by reading together.” Teachers used the circulating materials in their classrooms for both curriculum and pleasure reading and stated that not only did the children enjoy the storytimes and crafts, but they themselves learned from the program.