SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — With schools temporarily closed because of the coronavirus, a Carlsbad librarian is providing the comfort of a library to students one driveway at a time.
Calavera Hills Elementary librarian Lindsay Rudy started drive-by storytimes Wednesday, but has already found her schedule filing up with requests.
"I'm definitely surprised," Rudy said. "It makes my heart so happy."
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Rudy said the service started after she contacted a family and asked if they would be interested in storytime. Soon, others also signaled their interest.
"It brought me back to feeling like I was right there with them at the school," Rudy said. "The only difference was no hugs."
Before school closures hit the Carlsbad Unified School District, Rudy checked out several books from the library to have on hand and to help continue interest for the California Young Reader Medal, a program where students vote for their favorite books.
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Discussion isn't solely on the plot during storytime. Rudy says the interactions also help spark conversations around life, especially at a time when kids are dealing with a lot of emotions.
"It really just made me happy we were able to continue that connection," Rudy said. "The biggest part of the job that I love, you have stories that appeal to a kid but also discussion."
And while the change has also been sudden for herself, Rudy says CUSD has made the pivot to virtual learning seamless and supportive.
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So she can focus on feeding hungry readers new stories — at a safe distance.
"There's always, even in an age of technology, there's always a place for a book and always a place for a library," Rudy said.
You can follow along with Rudy's drive-by storytime project on Instagram here.