Public Library Virtual Storytimes: The Whys, Why Nots, and Measures of Success

Abstract

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many public libraries offered virtual storytimes (VSTs). Who proposed, authorized, and developed these programs? What impact did they have in the short term and long term? To find out, we created a survey on the decision and evaluation processes behind VST. We received 415 responses from children’s librarians throughout the United States. Our findings indicate that children’s librarians exercised keen administrative and management skills in launching VSTs and the programs prioritized children’s socioemotional development and learning. However, assessment of the programs is somewhat lacking as libraries tended to focus on outputs like the number of views rather than more meaningful indicators of program value for the community.