Storytime goes digital at Hays Public Library
Published on -2/21/2012, 10:16 AM
Printer-friendly version
E-Mail This Story
By KLINT SPILLER
Alisha Windholz's 4-year-old eyes stared intently at the iPad as she maneuvered the glass slipper onto one of Cinderella's stepsister's feet. After completing her task, she triumphantly smiled and watched as the next scene unfolded on the big-screen television.
Windholz was one of several children who participated Monday afternoon in the Hays Public Library's new Digital Storytime activity led by youth services librarian Brandon Hines.
Hines guided the preschool-aged children through different interactive educational applications on an iPad, which was connected to a big television.
"We threw in all the different elements of early literacy, even though we didn't open up a book today," Hines said.
Hines said he enjoyed the challenge of the new format and thought it was a good way to promote the library's digital collection.
"It is nice because of the interactivity of it," Hines said. "A book can only be so interactive, but when you add this element, they can do a lot more."
Though they couldn't read yet, the children worked on their rhyming abilities and identified different objects on the screen.
"We are not teaching you to read, but what we really are trying to do is to get you ready to read and get excited about reading," Hines said to the group of children.
Though he was concerned the children's interest would wane or their focus would be on the iPad being passed around more so than on the story, Hines said he was happy to see the children's attention stay squarely on the story.
"I really noticed how they were focused on the screen when I was working with another kid," Hines said. "The story itself still held the kids' attentions."
The next Digital Storytime is scheduled for March 12. Parents can sign up their children at the library, on the library's website, www.hayspublib.org, or by calling the library at (785) 625-5916.
Though Digital Storytime was aimed toward preschool children, Hines said there are digital applications offered for a wide range of ages.
"The cool thing about this technology is you can find that niche for any age group," Hines said. "You can find what works for them."
