The National Children’s Library “Ion Creangă” has launched the program “Story Time” that invites the children to explore its collection of books in the English language. Each Monday, at 11am, all those who want can take part in the program through the library’s Facebook page. “A story in English each Monday!” implies not only the reading of the story, but also an interactive activity: application, modeling or drawing, depending on the book’s content, the library’s vice director Eugenia Bejan has told IPN.
The program “Story Time” is at the first edition and for now does not have a definite implementation period. “We have collections of books for small children, for primary school children and want them to be used. It is also an invitation to reading for children who, when they come to the library, could borrow the books that we read online,” stated Eugenia Bejan. She noted that the program is implemented with the assistance of a library’s employee who knows English well.
On the occasion of International Children’s Day, the National Children’s Library “Ion Creangă” takes part in a story marathon staged in partnership with the National Association of Librarians and Public Libraries of Romania. The event involves a number of national libraries. “Each participating librarian chose a story. We have a total of 70 librarians from Romania and from the Republic of Moldova who read stories live from 10am until 6pm,” stated Eugenia Bejan. The 70 stories of the “Reading Marathon” read live are broadcast live on Facebook and can be listened to online. “When we heard about this event, we decided that the library will take part and thus registered as a participant. The organizers accepted a story from our library. As there were many applicants, a test-based selection was organized and each of the applicants staged by a rehearsal as this live event involves responsibility.”
In March, the National Children’s Library “Ion Creangă” launched the program “Story Hour at Home” in Romanian, which takes place each Tuesday and Wednesday at 11am. There was also launched a program of stories in Russian that can be watched at 1pm each Thursday. “We realized that these online services are necessary not only in this period as this way we offer children and parents the possibility of taking part from anywhere, either from the country or abroad,” added Eugenia Bejan.
The book lending, user registration and book return services at the National Children’s Library “Ion Creangă” were resumed on June 1. The elder children can raid in the reading hall if the book cannot be borrowed. The library stopped work in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
