A Competency Model for Volunteer Storytellers in Public Libraries

Abstract

AbstractIn recent years, public library administrators have actively promoted children’s reading services. Storytelling activities have a significantly positive effect on enhancing children’s interest and ability in reading. Due to the shortage of human resources in some public libraries, volunteers are required to provide storytelling activities. Public libraries should enhance the competencies of volunteer storytellers and provide appropriate training for maintaining as well as improving the effectiveness of storytelling activities. The study conducted interviews in order to build a multidimensional and theoretically grounded competency model for volunteer storytellers in public libraries. Interviews were designed based on the relevant literature. The study used in-depth interviews to obtain information on the experiences, ideas, and suggestions of 15 volunteer storytellers at Taipei Public Library. The results indicate ten facets of the competency model for volunteer storytellers: knowledge about readers; knowledge about story material; assisting in planning and organizing storytelling; expressing and interpreting story skills; children resource utilization instruction skills; information technology skills; oral and writing communication; volunteer team administration and management skills; professional literacy and development; and personal attitude and characteristics. These findings can be helpful in developing competency models and practices related to competency development among volunteer storytellers for public libraries. Finally, the results can serve as a reference for administrators of public libraries and other children’s reading education institutions to implement human resources strategies and practices concerning volunteer storytellers, including planning, recruitment, education, management, and performance evaluation.