Creating Dynamic, Community-Driven Story Times

Jonathan Dolce, MLSMary Daniels

Maitland Public LibraryMaitland FL

Overview• Jonathan Dolce, Youth Services Director, and

Mary Daniels, Youth Services Coordinator from Maitland Public Library

• Roughly 140-160 attendees for Toddler/Preschool story times per week

• Story time format; Baby time format

• Adding dynamic elements without spending a penny

• 52 themes a year—no breaks! It can be done! (aka: Getting Past Story Time Writer’s Block)

Teaching Parents

• One benefit of a dynamic story time is educating the parents

• How to interact with and read to kids at home

• Many continue studying our weekly themes

• Creative ideas for songs, dances, books, and more

Equipment List

• Flannel board

• Puppet stage, puppets, and props

• Percussion instruments

• Electronics: laptop, flat screen TV, amplifier, wireless microphone headsets

Books

• Go beyond “holding it like a guitar”

• Old favorites and new additions

Flannel Board Stories

• Good time to reinforce counting or alphabet

• Audience participation—bring it up or shout it out

• Props

• Sing-a-longs

• Flannel alongside books and videos—why not?!

Play-a-longs

• Small investment in percussion instruments (see Lakeshore or Kimbo)

• Make instruments as part of a summer craft or have volunteers make them from recycled materials

• Play-a-long with a great song, video, or book that needs NOISE!

Dance-a-longs

• Behold the magic of YouTube Downloader or Firefox Download Helper!

• Just Dance Kids

• Gameplay from Just Dance Kids, Star Wars Kinect, and more!

Action Songs & Fingerplays

• Old standards are great, but don’t be afraid to create new ones• Ex: Circus Parade

• Repetition is fine, but pepper story times with new elements all the time

Guests

• Up-and-coming performers get to showcase their performance to a captive audience

• Cultural neighbors

• Guest storytellers

• Community helpers, like firefighters, police officers, etc.

• Local businesses such as My Gym, or businesses that use mascots

Guests

Crafts

• Use recycled, repurposed materials

• Crafts should match the theme, ie: at Arbor Day story time, make a tree-related craft

• Crafts for older kids, coloring sheets for younger kids and babies

• Craft ideas are easy to look up!

Puppet Shows

• Audacity, YouTube, any video converter

• Sesame Street, Animaniacs, Yo Gabba Gabba, Beethoven’s Wig, The Wiggles, Playing for Change, Symphony of Science, and more!

• Keep it simple! The audience’s imagination fills in the blanks!

Room Layout

Conclusion

• Dynamic story times are possible—without breaking the bank!

• Use what you have in new and different ways

• Don’t be afraid to try new things alongside old favorites

• Educate the parents

• Tap into community resources and performers

• Have FUN!