Supercharged Library

When storytime providers get together for learning and sharing, magic happens! Check out these fantastic ideas for storytime providers, by storytime providers, for making your practice even more fun and engaging. These resources were compiled by the 2015 Supercharged Storytimes pilot participants, who learned to supercharge their storytimes by incorporating two facets of early literacy.

Supercharged Storytimes is an in-depth and systematic approach to developing early literacy in storytimes. Whether you took the original course or are new to Supercharged Storytimes, you don’t want to miss our newest version of the course, which includes:

Six early literacy components, with instruction on how to apply each for different age levels
Instructional videos by early literacy expert Saroj Ghoting
Demo videos
Activities and resources
Tips for talking to parents and caregivers about literacy
Guidance on assessing storytime success
Ways to build equity into storytimes

Supercharge Your Collection

Over 30 children’s book titles and brief descriptions from library staff who have used (and enjoyed!) them in their storytimes. Many of these books emphasize representation of diverse communities or experiences for children.

Supercharged Activities

Need some inspiration to keep those kids engaged? This list includes lots of ideas for activities that encourage play, sharing, and creativity, as well as some examples of fun materials to incorporate in your storytime.

Supercharged Family Engagement

The vast majority of the resources shared in other documents on this site can easily be shared with families and caregivers. We’ve consolidated here just a few more resources for adult-oriented interaction, and tips from storytime providers who have been there, done that. But wait, there’s more! You can also download and use this compilation of tips and tricks for grown-ups in your own library, created by a Supercharged Storytime rock star!

Supercharged Partners and Advocacy Perspectives

How do YOU connect with other individuals or agencies in the community to share your library’s storytime expertise? What do you tell them about the power of early learning at the library? This document includes some great ideas directly from fellow practitioners.

Alphabetic Knowledge Inspiration

Alphabetic knowledge helps children explore with letters. You can learn more about this skill, and see a library staff member demonstrating it, at the VIEWS2 Alphabetic Knowledge page. The Alphabetic Knowledge Inspiration document includes fantastic resources for you to incorporate this skill in your storytimes. It includes suggested books for specific age ranges, as well as links to descriptive tip sheets for each of those books. These tip sheets, generated by library storytime providers from across the country, provide clear examples for how you can demonstrate and encourage alphabetic knowledge behaviors in storytime, and share your approach with parents and caregivers.

Phonological Awareness Inspiration

Phonological awareness helps children play with sounds. You can learn more about this skill, and see a library staff member demonstrating it, at the VIEWS2 Phonological Awareness page. The Phonological Awareness Inspiration document includes wonderful resources for you to incorporate this skill in your storytimes. It includes suggested books for specific age ranges, as well as links to descriptive tip sheets for each of those books. These tip sheets, generated by library storytime providers from across the country, provide clear examples for how you can demonstrate and encourage phonological awareness behaviors in storytime, and share your approach with parents and caregivers.

Online Resources to Supercharge Your Practice

There are so many places you can go online to learn about early learning or seek fresh ideas for storytime. We’ve compiled some of the best of the best – visit these various sites at your leisure, and take advantage of the many existing (and FREE) resources for promoting early literacy at your library.

Youth Services Topics in WebJunction's Course Catalog

The free WebJunction course catalog has a number of self-paced courses to support you in engaging children and caregivers in storytime. Examples include Encouraging Early Literacy and Planning Storytimes for Children. Learn about how to establish a free account if you don't already have one at the WebJunction course catalog home page.

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Supercharged Course

Access the self-paced course here (You will be prompted to login to our free Catalog.)

Supercharged Library