5.2: Why It Matters

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 123884

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

Public libraries have the resources and opportunity to join with families, schools, and other community agencies to promote early literacy and school readiness among all members of a community (Young et al., 2019). Although truly serving diverse groups has historically been a challenge for public libraries, librarians continue to face this challenge and adapt resources, services, and programs to address the needs and interests of all community members (American Library Association, 2018).

The opinions of caregivers who already attend storytimes can give insights into what elements of storytime may attract other caregivers as well as what barriers may be preventing the attendance of other caregivers in the community. The findings from our survey of library directors may be particularly helpful to you in promoting and delivering storytimes to diverse groups because understanding how library directors across the country perceive storytime may help you communicate the value of your storytimes to your own library director and to gain your director’s support in making improvements to marketing and outreach efforts.