Virtual Storytime - Tips on Fair Use & Kids' Privacy

As we explore and plan our online programming content, ALSC (the Association for Library Service to Children) has shared two blog posts to help us navigate two big issues. Much of this content sprung from work being done on the ALSC Virtual Storytime Services Guide. The entire guide, featuring sections on Best Practices; Technology Tools; Servicing Diverse Families; Online Programming Ideas; Promotion; and other Online Resources, will be available for free later this month on the ALSC website.

Pausing to Talk About Copyright and Virtual Storytimes
In this brief excerpt from the forthcoming ALSC Virtual Storytime Services Guide, fair use and copyright are explored - both during the pandemic and during non-pandemic times.

Virtual Programming and Patron Privacy
Based on an interview with Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, shares key thoughts for libraries to consider dealing with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) and the use of different platforms.

Permissions (Books, Authors and Music) YSS 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

Virtual Storytimes YSS blog COVID-19 series:

• Online Storytime Creation Tools  11/18/20
• Flipgard, Fanfare and Friends: Celebrity Storytime  9/21/20
• 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

Browse the Web In Style

If you are anything like me, you use one web browser.  ONE.  And it's probably one of the "Big Four": Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge (a.k.a. Internet Explorer).  What you may not know is that there exists an entire world of browsers, most created to be really great at specific tasks.  Tasks that include intense privacy, superior media streaming, and text-only display.  Want to know more?  Check out PC Magazine's recent article highlighting some alternative browsers.

Free Tools for Online Privacy

       "Say you’re doing a web search on something like the flu. The next thing you know, an ad for a flu remedy pops up on your web browser, or your video streaming service starts playing a commercial for Tylenol.

      The content of those ads is no coincidence. Digital ads are able to follow people around the Internet because advertisers often place invisible trackers on the websites you visit. Their goal is to collect details on everywhere you go on the Internet and use that data to serve targeted ads to your computer, smartphone and connected television." 

    Many library patrons are unaware of how closely their internet use is tracked by advertising companies, particularly teens.  So what better time to get a head start on defending yourself and teaching your patrons how to defend themselves against web snoops?  Check out the four tracker blockers tested by the New York Times Tech Fix crew and which is recommended as their anti-tracking tool of choice.  Read the article in full HERE.