[OPLINLIST] Storytime by Men

[Susan Pieper]

Hello All,
To answer the question of men doing storytime, our storytime coordinator
and presenter is a man. Kirk is known as our "Early Literacy Specialist"
has been with our library since the late 90s. He is gifted in the
presentation of stories to preschoolers and hosting Lego and other programs
for older youth. He is over 6 feet tall, but is very non-threatening.

We call him, "Kooky Kirk" and the kids adore him. He dresses up in
character and each storytime session is "theme-based". This week it was
turtles, last week it was the color "red". Sometimes I wish we had him
under contract so PBS doesn't steal him. He is a genius at incorporating
props and presented a program at the Spring 2016 Chapter Conference in
Toledo. His go-to-prop for almost any theme is a parachute.

Kirk greets kids when they come in, interacts with them, engages them in
conversation, is not put off if they interrupt the story, does not require
strict rules of seating and quiet, etc. Parents join in the craft activity
and actually watch the storytime with their children. This past week, his
attendance was over a dozen one day and over thirty the second (he offers
preschool storytime twice a week, in the afternoon on Tuesdays, and in the
mornings on Wednesdays).

You can visit our children's FB site to see photos of some of his
storytimes. https://www.facebook.com/PauldingCountyLibraryYouthServices/ If
you have a guy who wants to try it, go for it! Break down barriers,
celebrate diversity!  All of our employees had to have a recent background
check to comply with our new hire policy, so that should alleviate concerns
of background issues.

Please contact me for more information, or I can forward your query to Kirk.
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*Listening to: The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close*
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*Susan Hill Pieper, M.S.L.S.*
*Director/Librarian*
*Paulding County Carnegie Library*
*205 South Main Street*
*Paulding, Ohio 45879*
*(419) 399-2032 - Voice   (419) 399-2114 - Fax*
www.pauldingcountylibrary.com
https://www.facebook.com/PauldingCountyLibrary
<https://www.facebook.com/PauldingCountyLibrary?ref=hl>
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