ICYMI: Penguin Random House Extends Story Time Temporary Open License Through June

 

With the uncertainty around school full or partial closings, we have extended the Penguin Random House Story Time Temporary Open License until June 30, 2022. We are heartened by the role that books and reading is playing to help connect us when we are physically apart. Please continue to share our books and stories with students and readers everywhere. Details about the extension and some clarifications around the Open License have been made. You’ll find all the details here. If you would like to stop receiving communication from us about this program, you may opt-out of any future emails by sending an email to storytimetemporarypermissions@penguinrandomhouse.com. Please note in the subject line "Email Opt-Out." For information on our privacy practices please see our privacy policy for reference. Thank you for your shared commitment to storytelling and reading, and to our collective belief in the power of books to connect us—especially during times like these. Best, Story Time Temporary Permissions

StoryWalks® - Getting Publisher Permissions

Abby Johnson, a wonderful youth and acquisitions librarian, writes many helpful posts for the national ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) blog.  Her most recent contribution guides you through the process of seeking permission to use a book from the publisher in your StoryWalks®

Check out the ALSC blog post here 

For additional information on background; origin, setting up and maintaining StoryWalks®, check out this guide developed by the Southwest WI Library System and this comprehensive google doc from WI Valley Library Service!

"Creating Community Fun" Programs - Going the Extra Mile

Today's guest post is from Children's Librarian Annette Miller at the Tomohawk (WI) Public Library 

I want to share how reaching out and making connections can lead to something a little extra-special.  

I had been struggling with how to provide programming during the pandemic and library closure and wanted to be sure about how to move forward before just jumping into a virtual storytime just for the sake of doing so.  I really miss the kids and families and I wanted to find a way to connect with them and provide an activity, but not just virtually.  

In late April,  I came across a Facebook post (in Storytime Underground) by Tanya Savitsky of the Ringtown Area (PA) Library.  She had placed "green sheep" all around her community because she loves the book "Where is Green Sheep?" by Mem Fox. She wanted to give the families something to do during this time.  I loved the idea but want to develop it a bit more.  I emailed her to ask a few questions She was so excited that her program had made its way to northern Wisconsin!  

I decided that I would choose a book to read on Facebook live and then add the non-virtual component of placing something out in the community to look for after the story.  I chose the book "Dragon was Terrible" by Kelly DiPucchio and Greg Pizzoli.  It's such a fun book and a wonderful tie-in with the summer library theme, too.  This program will be kind of a kick-off to our summer program.  

Next, I wanted to be sure I wasn't doing something illegal, so I just thought I would email Kelly DiPucchio to ask her permission to use the book and make copies of the dragon and see what happened.  She emailed me back right away and was so excited and so kind!  She also told me that she felt there wouldn't be an issue with the publisher because of the changes that have taken place during this time. Her only request was that I contact the illustrator, Greg Pizzoli.  After all, he did create the dragon.  

Well, he was just as excited and just as kind!  They both want me to share pictures after the event!  Now that I had those connections made, I went to City Hall to be sure there were no ordinances against putting the dragons out.  I want to place them primarily on city property where families can easily walk to find them and to promote these areas of the city as well.  They were fine with it (one will be placed near City Hall of course!).  

The final connection was when I shared the story on Facebook live and invited families or anyone who wants to go out and search for the dragons.  I am encouraging them to share pictures to our Facebook page.  In all these years (18 today!) I have never thought to email an author to simply ask a question.  It's just a great example of what reaching out can do and what connections will be created as a result.  We'll see what happens next week!  Like I said at the beginning, the reason I wanted to share this is because I hope it will inspire others to take a chance and reach out!

Creating Community Fun YSS blog COVID-19 series

• Mini-Golf Reader’s Cup  9/25/21
• Beep! Beep! Honk if you have Bingo!    9/1/21
• Letters to Guinea Pigs  8/18/21
• Stuffed Animal Fun for Everyone  7/13/21
• Pet Show and Tell  4/17/21
• Campfire Storywalk 3/10/21
• Outdoor Storytimes 1/17/20
• Family Trivia Night  10/7/20
• Flipgard, Fanfare and Friends: River Falls Celebrity Storytime  9/21/20
• Tie Dye Masks  8/24/20
• Summer Book Picnics  7/13/20
• Engaging Kids Outdoors  7/10/20
• Downtown Story Stroll    6/5/20
• Book nCover Double  6/8/20
• Going the Extra Mile 6/15/20 
• Summer Storyteller     6/16/20

Want Permission? Current Info on Publishers and Authors

Pixabay image

[Updated 4/23/20]
Publisher and author permissions as well as information about fair use in using books in online programs has been updating fast and furiously.

So far, the best go-to resources I've seen are:

• This Google Doc curated by Leah Langby, Library Development and Youth Services Consultant at the IFLS Library System in WI with information and links on copyright and information on public domain.

• School Library Journal has a constantly updated easy to read list of permissions from all publishers and adds to this link as news comes in.

• Jennifer Scott Brown's brilliant google doc for the COVID-19 crisis with author permissions and much much more.

• Read Aloud Canadian Books Program - a one stop website created by the Association of Canadian Publishers to help find access to publisher permissions and guidelines.

• Music Permissions work for streaming storytimes from CLEL (CO Libraries for Early Literacy).

• Publisher Permissions List provides a link to the website of the larger publishers with specific guidelines platforms, availability length, and how to provide credit.

There is also an excellent article Fair Use and Exigent Circumstances by Kyle Courtney, librarian/lawyer/copyright guy in his COVID-19, Copyright Library Superpowers series and this fair use in a crisis article in SLJ

ALA's Carrie Russell, copyright specialist in ALA's Public Policy and Advocacy Office weighs in in this blog post from ALA's Programming Librarian: "Online Storytime & Corona Virus: It's Fair Use, Folks". Do read the whole article. It does not promote unlimited fair use but speaks specifically to what we are going through.

Reading Aloud: Fair Use Enables Translating Classroom Practices to Online Learning 

A group of copyright leaders examine fair use in light of the COVID-19 pandemic; includes webinar link.

Word is out that there is a small group from CO's CLEL and ALSC working on a doc of best practices for virtual storytime including music permissions. Stay tuned....

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

Feeling Creative? More Online Library Program Resources for You & Families

ONLINE AUTHOR/ILLUSTATOR PROGRAMS/READ-ALOUDS

Another shout-out to  Librarian Bookends Present: #UnitedByBooksCOVID19 - Brilliant Book Resources (Twitter: @lbookends) and their padlet that gathers many online resources for authors online reading and publisher permissions

Tumblebooks is making their online ebook, math and other library content free until Augist 2020. Contact them directly at info@tumbebooks.com

NEW TO HOMESCHOOLING?

Practical tips for parents who are newly homeschooling their children during COVID-19 from a veteran homeschooler

Brooklyn Public Library has a great page for families with support, tips and learning links during COVID-19. 

PERMISSIONS

Macmillan has released online permission sharing  policy of their author's/illustrators content

Curated google doc with current author and publisher permissions for online readalouds

Fair Use and Exigent Circumstances 3/11/20 blog post from Kyle Courtney, lawyer/librarian in his COVID-19, Copyright Library Superpowers series to help guide you in your thinking.

Links to YSS COVID-19 series:

Online Storytimes

Getting Started with Virtual Storytimes  5/27/20

Virtual Storytime – Tips on Fair Use & Kids’ Privacy 5/4/20

“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

SLP & Programming Resources

Summer Scavenger Hunt Fun 5/30/20

Digital Escape Rooms – the Holy Grail  5/26/20

SLP Virtual and Offline Program Ideas for Teens/Tweens  5/22/20

Virtual and Offline Programs for Summer and Beyond  5/6/20

“Grab-&-Go” Activity Kit Ideas  5/5/20

DIY Family Activities for SLP from CSLP 5/1/20

Offline and Feeling Fine: Ideas for Programming Unvirtually  4/29/20

Virtual Programming & SLP Ideas for YOU! 4/25/20

Beyond E-Storytimes: Virtual Services and Programs for Youth 4/22/20

Using Premier for Virtual Programming on Facebook 3/24/20

Re-Opening and Safety Issues

We’re Re-opening – Coping with Reluctant Patrons and Programming 6/1/20

We’re Re-Opening – Cleaning and Disinfecting Youth Areas  5/13/20

COVID-19 and Libraries: Your Questions Answered with Dr. Dipesh Navsaria 5/19/20

Permissions (Books, Authors and Music)

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

Professional Development

Webinar - Summer Learning Through Our Public Libraries in a Time of COVID-19  5/18/20

Confronting Xenophobia and Supporting Asian and Asian/Pacific Communities Webinar 4/21/20

Working From Home During COVID-19 4/19/20

Need to Keep Up? Free Online Professional Development  3/21/20

Webinar -Remote and Online Services & Resources for Youth Librarians  3/25/20

Free Children’s/Teen Professional Journal Access 3/28/20

Creating Accessibility in Your Online Programming 4/15/20; updated 4/23/20

Kids Resources

Curated List of Free COVID-19 EBooks for Kids 4/27/20

Infographic to Help Parents with Tech Time During COVID-19 4/2/20

Tips on Safe and Inclusive Gaming/Livestreaming for Families 4/6/20

Talking to Kids About COVID-19  3/28/20

Ear Ticklin’ Listening/Viewing for Kids at Home 3/30/20

WI Online Program Data

Data Collection for Virtual Programs 3/17/20

More Info on Data Collection for Virtual Programs 3/19/20

Friday FAQs with Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

4/10/20 recording       4/17/20 recording          4/24/20 recording        5/1/20 recording               5/8/20 recording

5/15/20 recording       5/22/20 recording; 5/29/20 recording

Taking Care of You 

Human Connections in a Time of Pandemic  3/27/20

Feeling Stress? Keeping Calm in a Difficult Time 3/21/20