Storytime Station: A case study on using public library-created animated videos to reinforce early literacy skills and practices

In 2011, the Edmonton Public Library (EPL) embarked upon a project to take its early literacy programs out of the library and into the community. After careful consideration of opportunities and budget, it was decided to produce animated videos, collectively referred to as “Storytime Station”, featuring songs, stories, and rhymes that could be distributed through a wide range of communication channels. This paper will examine the various stages of the “Storytime Station” project to create content for young children and their families, and will identify key phases of the project as well as lessons learned. The animated videos can be viewed on EPL’s website at http://www.epl.ca/StorytimeStation or on its Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4og3ttkKss&list=PL6667A6522073986E. As the Senior Marketing Consultant supporting EPL’s youth services division, I was heavily involved in this project from ideation through implementation and monitoring. At the time of this writing, I am no longer employed by the Edmonton Public Library, so this paper will cover the project components during the period from 2010 – 2013 when I was directly involved in the “Storytime Station” project.