By Lonna Vines, a Children’s Librarian at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has closed all physical locations in response to Coronavirus (COVID 19) to protect the health and safety of both the public and staff. But just because they have closed their doors, doesn’t mean that Library staff have stopped working. For the past several weeks, a small team of Children’s Services staff have been offering regular virtual storytimes via Facebook Live on the ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center Facebook page.
Many of the most frequent Library users are parents with little ones at home and the Library has made it a top priority to support these families in both English and Spanish until the stay-at-home order has been lifted. With over 18,000 views (and counting!), gratitude for these small moments of stories and silliness has poured in from parents hoping to maintain a routine that encourages literacy and educational goals at home.
“We are so glad we can connect with our library families and continue to highlight the importance of early literacy at home during this time. It’s wonderful to ‘see’ our youngest Library users through their comments and interactions with us during our programs. We love the library community we continue to be a part of virtually!”said Children’s Services Leader Jesse Isley.
To catch your local librarian in action, tune into the virtual storytimes listed below.
Family Storytime:
Monday – Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
Enjoy stories, songs, and movement activities that support early literacy skill development and help foster a love of books and reading in your child.
Cuentos Virtuales en Español:
Martes y Jueves a las 10:30 a.m.
Los invitamos a que disfruten de cuentos y
canciones en español desde sus casas.
Be sure to LIKE the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and ImaginOn: The Joe and Jean Martin Center Facebook pages to tune in!
