The Travelling Librarian

Time

4 3 2 1 Early-Mid Stages

Benefits

Participants

One to One

What you need

A bag for the books
A selection of fiction, non-fiction and short stories
Poems
Newspapers and magazines
Audio books

Intro

Peace. Tranquillity. Escapism. There’s a lot to love about the library. But if getting out to one is impossible for someone, why not bring it to them? In this activity, you simply curate a bag full of reading materials and use it to invent a relaxing library experience. The best bit? There are no ‘late return’ fines

The Activity

Tell your budding reader that you’re taking them on a virtual trip to the library
Remind them that you have to be quiet in the library, so “ssshh”
Hold their hand and gently let them feel and see what’s in the book bag
Give your reader a chance to indulge all their senses by looking at the books and their covers, feeling them, and smelling any old books too. The distinctive, musty smells might bring back memories
Ask them what they’d like to read first and then hold the book or magazine for them if it’s helpful
Or, if they’re unable to choose one and read it for themselves, pick a story or poem and start reading it to them for as long as they’d like to listen
When each piece is finished, allow your reader time to absorb what they’ve read or heard
Maybe ask a few questions to see what they liked or disliked about it, before moving on to the next piece
Continue for as long as your reader would like