QUALITY STORYTENTS
A resource for family, early childhood and community literacy workers
One of the more rewarding outcomes from the book borrowing is learning that, after our departure, some children have spread their own blankets out on their lawn and carried on reading.
More information on book borrowing and using Storytents as part of a library outreach program is found in Summer Reading Club: Outreach library service through a neighbourhood storytent program available at www.nald.ca/clr/readclub/cover.htm.
Children are given a "5 minute warning" when the end of a Storytent session is approaching. This gives everyone time to finish stories and choose books. Then, set-up happens in reverse.
Once again, children are encouraged to play a role in the running of their program by helping out. Tents are carried away from the blankets and deconstructed (this is best left to the adults, as injury can occur when the frame is tugged apart). Books and peripherals are packed away in boxes. Garbage is picked up from around the site. Blankets and ground sheets are folded. Signage is taken down. The wagon is packed. Everyone says goodbye.