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Public Library Quarterly· 2026Q2

Reaching Beyond the Library Walls: Providers’ Perspectives on Virtual Storytime Programming

Roseanne Perkins, Brook E. Sawyer

Short summary

Public library providers perceive virtual storytime as a way to offer comfort and reach new audiences, but face challenges in measuring engagement and maintaining motivation without in-person interaction.

AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.

Key points

  • Virtual storytime can provide comfort and care during times of duress.
  • It offers opportunities to reach wider and more diverse audiences.
  • Providers struggle with measuring engagement in virtual settings.
  • Lack of an in-person audience can decrease provider motivation.
  • Adapting program design and developing self-efficacy for virtual delivery are key challenges.

AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.

Abstract

Virtual storytime may be a powerful supplement to in-person storytimes by offering increased access to early literacy programming. This study examines public library storytime providers’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of delivering virtual early literacy programming early in their adoption process. Six themes emerged: the potential for virtual storytime to be a source of comfort and care during times of duress; opportunities to reach more audiences; challenges related to measuring engagement during virtual programming; providers feeling less motivated without an in-person audience; the impact of virtual formats on program design; and developing self-efficacy for virtual programming.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Public Library Quarterly, 2026 · DOI ↗

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Field: Library and Information Sciences

Library and Information SciencesSocial Sciences