Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Massachusetts Libraries: Youth & School Services

"Libraries have moved their storytimes and other activities online, streaming or recorded. This list is being updated as more become available."

Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.

Upbeat, fun stories for morning and evening stories to help you wind down for the night. From the Mazza picturebook museum in Ohio.

Story Time from Space is a project of the Global Space Education Foundation.

Story times; art projects; science experiments; sing-a-longs, and more from librarians and volunteers in Massachusetts.

Does your library have a story time or program you would like to feature in the First Lady's Video Library? Upload it here!

Comprehensive toolkit from ALSC.

A 2-part series from Webjunction.

Hear from two local librarians as they discuss how they handle virtual storytime.

Library Journal

15 Tips To Make a Dynamic Video. SLJ April 6, 2020

School Library Journal, 2020

School Librarian Leadership

Library of Michigan

Programming Librarian, March 2020

School Library Journal

Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy

In order to avoid coming in contact with or spreading COVID-19 germs while continuing to provide MGOL sessions to their weekly participants, facilitators have been finding creative ways to present MGOL from home.

For as long as schools are closed, kids everywhere can instantly stream a collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.

This is a Youtube Channel created and run by children's book writers and illustrators. With all this talk of potential quarantines and school closures, we wanted to do something to offer relief for parents and kids who might find themselves stuck at home. On this channel, you'll find workshops, readings, activities, art projects, writing games, writing advice, and more. We hope that we can offer you some fun, some distraction, and a creative outlet for any feelings that might come up during this time.
See sample video above!

"Draw Every Day" videos with award-winning Massachusetts writer and illustrator.

"Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. "

A fun way for artists and writers of every age to stretch themselves a little and have fun using prompts every day to inspire creativity!

You’ll find a selection of audio stories from three master storytellers on the K-3 Storytelling Learning Lab, found at www.storypreservation.org To access click K-3 Learning Lab on blue banner. A one-time registration is required and then click on “storytellers” and listen and enjoy at no cost.

Well-known children's stories translated into Spanish and spoken by a native Spanish speaker. Great for kids... and adults too! Read along in Spanish or English. Site also includes free Spanish lessons.
Tip: Scroll to bottom to find similar sites for French, German, and Italian!

This organization offers children and families opportunities to interact with scientists from around the world. Click the "Events" tab to view pre-planned live group sessions, or if you're feeling more adventurous, click "For Families," and you will be matched with your very own scientist to chat about science!

Free, easy-to-do activities that will keep kids entertained and get them thinking about their family history. From American Ancestors and the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Harvard Business Review

Includes tips, risk factors, and additional resources.

Guidelines from the National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Nurses

A toolkit with seven strategies and corresponding resources, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education and Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute.

A curated collection of free e-books for children of varying ages and in multiple languages. From the New York City School Library System.

Comic that includes information from healthcare experts interviewed for an NPR story. Can also be printed and folded into a zine.

Free from Scholastic. Available in English and Spanish.

Printable pages to record feelings, family moments, memories, letter to self and more.

Free resources for teaching children about the Coronavirus and hygiene.

Statewide digital resources to ensure all students and teachers have the services of a school librarian to find high-quality information, tools and strategies to continue developing media literacy and research skills. Also includes a virtual "Ask a School Librarian" service. Simply fill out the form; all questions and comments will receive a response from participating school librarians.