Research Roundup: Post-COVID Storytimes: What’s Happening and Planning for Success

Abstract

Across the country, children’s librarians have reported a marked change in their audiences since COVID. Before the pandemic, for the most part, preschoolers generally could sit still and focus during storytime. But now, children of all ages find it difficult to stay in one place for an extended period of time, and as a result, programming can be a struggle.

In this column, we have provided some resources that explain what is happening and some materials and suggestions for adapting programs to appeal to restless audiences.