PCI Webinar with Melanie Borski-Howard and Friends

                      Virtual Storytimes: Filming Before, During, and After COVID- 19

Wednesday, May 13^th from 12:00 – 1:00pm Pacific

The world was turned upside down in early 2020.  Many libraries were closed suddenly and children's librarians were asked to do storytimes online, some with materials and some without. Authors and musicians were giving permission for use, but the rules of copyright have, and continue to be dubious. This brings up many important issues as to what our role is as library storytellers before, during and after this pandemic.  This webinar hopes to answer questions regarding virtual storytimes and empower library workers to rise to the challenge of providing professional online early literacy to our patrons.

Our presenters will answer common questions about copyright, best practices, technology, accessibility and more. Our presenters are also happy to take follow-up questions and chat more!

Attendees will learn how to:

• Get a basic idea of how copyright works
• Find resources for copyrighted material before, after and during COVID 19
• Implement best practices in every storytime including accessibility
• Filming tips and strategies for a virtual storytime
• Do storytimes with limited materials
• Technology tips for doing storytime from home

Biography ~ Melanie Borski-Howard

Melanie has studied music, theater and received her Masters in English from Utah State University. She is currently a Youth Services Librarian at Boulder Public Library in Boulder Colorado, where she has been doing storytimes since she started in 2001.

Melanie had a library goal of creating a BLOG (similar to JBRARY) in 2016, but once she started collaborating with Boulder Channel 8 television station, the BLOG evolved to an actual filming of her storytimes with Alice. She is currently in her second season of the local televised program, Read With Us where they have filmed 14 shows. (https://boulderlibrary.org/youth/read-with-us/)

Biography ~ Cydney Clink

Cydney is the Head of Youth Services at Mesa County Libraries in Grand Junction, Colorado. Over the past 20 years her passion for breaking down barriers and meeting patrons where they are has led her to create innovative library services and programming for diverse audiences, and to deliver storytimes and other family programs in various settings such as convenience stores, apartment complex laundry rooms, barns, and even a bar [insert audible gasp here]. Now Cydney has added live FaceBook storytimes to that list.

Cydney holds a bachelor’s in Sociology with an emphasis in Family Studies from the University of Northern Colorado and a master’s degree in Library Science from Emporia State University.

Biography ~ Julie Crabb

Julie is currently a Children's Guide for Anythink Libraries sparking curiosity for those in Adams County, Colorado. She is lucky enough to serve as a Joint Chief for Storytime Underground, an online community of youth services professionals committed to the idea that early literacy is not a luxury. In 2018, she was awarded the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy Rising Star Award for her passion and dedication to supporting early literacy opportunities for children in the community.

When not at the library, she has a fondness for baking with her daughter, an adoration of geese, and an unhealthy relationship with spaghetti.