"How to Do a Virtual Storytime" Webinars

For many of us, doing virtual storytimes is a new skill that we are working on.

But, no worries. Two state level agencies and a university have your back with great practical webinars and resources with tech tips; fair use information; and practical approaches to help you -whether programming during the pandemic or after.

And remember everyone, as you think about virtual storytimes,  you do you. Make the length, content, and experience one that fits YOUR community and YOUR bandwidth. Definitely channel your best judgement on length and content.

CLEL (CO Libraries for Early Literacy) produced a 90 minute webinar 4/10/20. Topics include: during-the-pandemic and post-pandemic permissions and fair use tips; public domain songs; filming tips; presentation tips (pacing; enthusiasm; etc); tech tips on lighting, camera placement and social media promotion; accessibility and diversity issues; ideas for the different levels of support that leadership; your library marketers and storytime staff can do.

Arizona State Library produced a 41 minute webinar 4/7/20. Covered topics: choosing between platforms - pros and cons; tech tips on cameras, placement; presentation tips; the reasons why you might choose to do an online storytimes.

University of Wisconsin Madison iSchool CE Dept. (Scroll down to the March 25th webinar once you get the UW page) produced a 60 minute webinar 3/25/20 with tips on reaching out into your community and online programming including storytime. Topics included: planning; promotion; outreach; partnership opportunities with community organizations; fair use and permissions; virtual storytime and programming best practices; resources.

Virtual Storytimes YSS blog COVID-19 series:

• Online Storytime Creation Tools  11/18/20
• Flipgard, Fanfare and Friends: Celebrity Storytime  9/23/20
• ALSC Virtual Storytime Guide is Out!  6/11/20
• Getting Started with Virtual Storytimes  5/27/20
• “How to Do a Virtual Storytime” Webinars 4/13/20
• Tips on Doing Online Storytimes During COVID-19 Closures 3/16/20; updated 3/20/20
• Storytime Goes Digital 3/20/20
• Digital Storytimes- You Do You! 3/31/20
• Digital Storytime, Screen Time and Intentionality – Oh My 4/6/20
• Facebook Live Online Storytime Tips 3/24/20
• Fixing "My Book is Backwards in Online Storytime!" on iPhone 3/22/20

Permissions (Books, Authors and Music) YSS blog COVID-19 series:

• Many Children’s Books COVID-19 Publisher Permissions Extended  6/24/20
• Virtual Storytime – Tips on Fair Use & Kids’ Privacy 5/4/20
• Want Permission? Current Info on Publishers and Authors 3/22/20; updated 4/23/20
•       Music Permissions? Look No Further  3/27/20; updated 3/31/20