5.3: What We Learned

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Here are some highlights from the findings of the caregiver surveys.

Caregivers newer to attending storytime placed great value on the fact that storytimes are free and on the opportunity for their children to socialize with other children.
Some caregivers (19%) reported that the child’s schedule (falls during naptime/snack time, etc.) could be a barrier to attending storytime. The majority of the respondents (37%) chose “Other” for the barrier question, and the majority of these noted timing-related barriers such as being a working parent or another family member’s conflicting schedule.
The top four ways caregivers found out about a storytime program they attended were a friend’s recommendation (24%), the library’s website (25%), a library advertisement (22%), and a librarian’s recommendation (17%).

These findings are the basis for our recommended strategies to promote and deliver storytimes in ways that overcome barriers, adapt marketing promotions based on what’s already working, and attempt to reach previously underserved groups in your community.

In survey responses, a majority of library directors gave a high importance rating to the outcome that storytime programs can attract patrons from diverse groups in the community who may not otherwise visit the library. Many directors also highly rated the objectives that storytimes “provide a safe place for children to engage in play” and “provide a space for child caregivers/parents to interact socially.” These ratings support the view of the library as a space for community engagement.