Librarians work to bring story time to children anywhere | News | indexjournal.com

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It was foggy tonight, followed by occasional showers. 36F low. The wind is light and variable. It may rain 50%

It was foggy tonight, followed by occasional showers. 36F low. The wind is light and variable. It may rain 50%.

When Jody Gable, the Children’s Services Coordinator of the Greenwood County Library System, was shooting the film, the reflected light was hidden behind the camera frame while also reading for children who were unable to gather in the library due to COVID-19 story.

Behind a row of statues, Jessica Howard edits and produces educational and entertaining videos, and puts them on shelves as a virtual show of the Greenwood County Library System.

These days, the Greenwood County Library is almost silent.

When they used to produce shows for children and families of all ages, they attracted very few winners to screen stories, appreciate puppet shows or make handicrafts, but the coronavirus pandemic has stopped all these personally involved activities. Come down.

The display that once tempted people to scramble for books they were not familiar with was cut to reduce the almost constant amount of cleaning required. Even the furniture dotted on the first floor creates comfortable corners that can be sunk into with books, now it is Spartan.

Greenwood County Library System Children’s Services Coordinator Jody Gable said: “Life in the children’s area of ​​the Greenwood County Library used to be flooded for a day.” “We received tuition, the computer lab will be full, and we have puppet shows. , Reading essays, and children and families doing after-school programming here."

However, being different does not stop employees’ enthusiasm for education and enriching children’s lives-it just shifts these efforts to the Internet. By September 2020, the library has carried out online programming in the form of story reading, handicraft videos, STEM learning exercises, and book recommendations. Now, after a short break during the holidays, the library staff are ready to continue bringing movie magic into their shared stories.

In the spring of 2020, Jessica Howard, the current youth service coordinator of the county library system, participated in the National Association of Public Libraries meeting. There, she learned a lot about video production and online programming, once COVID-19 forced many people to give up their usual gatherings, this knowledge came in handy.

Gable said: “The decision with Jessica was so quick to allow us to play the story on a regular basis, just virtual.” “But it’s difficult because it’s hard to maintain without feedback from children. creativity."

Video programming transformed the library’s iconic rotunda from a space for puppet shows and reading with groups into a production studio. The green fabric is covered on a shelf or projection screen to form a green screen. Howard can place the librarian in any environment she wants through video editing-from reading the dragon in front of the mysterious forest to singing in the cartoon music studio, etc. .

The reflector light is located just behind the view of the camera holder and can illuminate the lens well. Howard said that instead of recording real-time video uploads, she recorded videos of library staff in advance, so she can edit any blouse and add after effects.

However, in the absence of a live audience, it might feel a bit stupid to read a children's book by yourself during recording. Gable said that she herself has a lot of blowing balloons. If you really only watch the camera, or read to a group of children, it may be difficult to stimulate your energy.

Gable said, “It seems easy to be creative when you receive feedback,” “It’s difficult without customers.”

However, each member of the staff can play a role in bringing the virtual program to the position they want. Gable's background is in education and working with young children, but others learn from STEAM learning, drama, puppets, crafts and music to keep the video comprehensive, entertaining and educational.

Howard smiled and said: "I must be there to cheer for them and increase their energy."

The staff of Ninety Six and the Vail Shoals library branch also worked with Howard, making videos with their own staff. She said this is a good way for people to participate in the library when they don't want to enter the library often.

She said: "Now, all of us have not walked into the library to see what we are doing."

The library is still open, from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5:30 pm. To view the content of previous videos in the library system and follow new ones, please visit the Children's Room of the Greenwood County Library on YouTube at:

. The library is online at

And on Facebook

And Twitter as

.

Connect with staff writer Damian Dominguez at 864-634-7548, or follow on Twitter @IJDDOMINGUEZ.

Job duties include inserting inserts into newspapers. Must have a positive attitude and be a team player. Applicants must be able to: lift 20 pounds; stand for long periods of time; work any day of the week from late night to early morning; pass drug screening.