Before Ms. Alison came to the Detroit Public Library, she worked as a classroom teacher, as well as a librarian in Chicago and New York. Now, she’s the Children’s Librarian and Assistant Manager of the Sherwood Forest Branch. Last year she had the wonderful idea to create online story time videos for the library’s YouTube channel. For Ms. Alison, “story time has always been my favorite part of being a children's librarian. I love sharing my favorite books, songs and crafts with my patrons and their parents.”
Now that the library buildings are closed the online story times are even more important, as for Ms. Alison, “it allows librarians a chance to connect with their youngest patrons even when we're all sheltering in place.” She is recording videos at home and still learning how to use audio and visual editing software. Luckily for her and us, Ms. Alison has hundreds of picture books in her home collection!
Currently, Ms. Alison and her son are reading all the “Fly Guy” books by Ted Arnold and the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. She also highly recommends using Hoopla for nonfiction books to support home schooling projects.
Interview by Woodward the Cat