Mrs. Wendy Nieto, Elementary School Librarian at The TASIS School In Dorado, Puerto Rico, shares what she has been doing to continue the love of reading during COVID-19 restrictions.

Hi, my name is Wendy Nieto and I'm the Elementary Librarian at The TASIS School in Dorado, Puerto Rico. My focus was that I wanted my students to feel happy and enjoy my library class story time with them, just like they do during normal circumstances. My students LOVE READING!!!

During COVID-19, from March to May, our TASIS Dorado School in Puerto Rico, had a Distance Learning program where, in my case as an Elementary Librarian, I created power points weekly, for grades Kinder through 5th, that included a video of me reading to my students, integrated written and craft activities for the story, and also created a slide for jokes from a library book of jokes that the students loved. I also used puppets during some of my story time videos. I dressed up for one of my stories. I wanted my students to feel happy and take their minds off a little from all this COVID-19 situation.

It was a new experience for all of us. A lot more work, but a challenge that was greatly accomplished positively full of happy moments.

I know for a fact, from my students, that they enjoyed my Library Story Time videos and work sheet activities. Parents also sent me their positive input. I had the experience from one of my videos where I used a puppet that I made, named Pinky. One of my student just fell in love with the puppet and her mother emailed me that her daughter loved the story with Pinky and wanted to know all about her. How she was made, what materials were needed, the whole story about this funny puppet named Pinky. I shared all I did to create Pinky with the student. It was a joyful experience. Just using a puppet. Being CREATIVE with something simple can make the difference. I enjoyed every story I read to my students!

If you would like to let us know what your school library is doing during COVID-19, you can let us know here.