Four months ago, I changed jobs at the library where I work. I am in children's now. I enjoy most of my job, but to get up in front of a group is hard!!! I have to do storytimes, school visits, cub scout tours, community events, library - museum storytimes, etc. I didn't full appreciate how hard it was going to be before I took the job. I did get a very nice pay raise though.

I have a background in early childhood education, and storytime was always the favorite part of my job with the children. With storytime at the library, I have adults. Yikes! And you aren't building on skills throughout the year, like in a preschool setting. You are just presenting and hoping that you chose decent stuff for the age of what the children are SUPPOSED to be. Parents don't always look at the age group that is supposed to come.

The first few times at doing weekly storytimes were a big blur. Right off the bat, the very first thing I presented to the kids was a total bomb. I lost the whole interest of the kids. Now don't forget that I've got a ton of parents attending with these kids. I braved thru it but I was a major hot flash the whole time. Counting adults and children, my storytimes average 40 - 75 people at a time.

Four months down the road now, it is getting easier. I look at the kids and not the parents. I practice a little bit what my songs and fingerplays are going to be. I can't believe that I am getting paid to read, sing and dance in front of a crowd. Trust me. I can not carry a tune, and I am plus size so the dancing has jiggles. :-) And then the hot flashes start!!! NOT PRETTY!! :-)

As I am getting more comfortable, I am sweating less. I take a deep breath and plunge into what I am doing. I've gotten to know some of my regular patrons by name and that helps a little. Last week I had to pinch hit at the last minute and do an infant storytime and then a one year old storytime. I usually have 2 year olds. I had 45 minutes of prep time total. Once again I was very nervous, but I did it. It does feel good when you accomplish something, and you do get better with practice.

I was asked by the museum to do their storytimes for special events like dinosaur days. I would get paid $27.00 an hour!! Remember though, there is prep involved, and I would work 2 hours at a time every few weeks or so. That is why it pays so much. I think I am going to turn it down. I'm not ready yet, and I'd have to balance the hours with my library schedule. There is someone I work with who would be perfect for the job, and I'm going to see if she is interested.

Time and practice will help you. I give myself inner pep talks and tell myself I can do it, and that I will get better. I've actually had some very good sessions now. I still have minor bombs now and then, but I zip thru it and onto the next thing. I can't believe the very first thing that I ever did was such a major disaster!! The world didn't fall apart and life went on. People do understand.

Remember be nice to the library storytime lady!! :-) She's trying her best!!

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Donna