“Off The Shelf” is a children’s web series designed to help children cope during this global pandemic. Our diverse cast is composed of enthusiastic Library characters who welcome children into the Library for adventures, songs and stories.
Thanks to funding from the St. Louis Public Library Foundation, SLPL launched the monthly web series in October 2020.
The web series “Off the Shelf” was born from the need to stay connected to our youngest library users and make virtual learning fun. The series engages young children and readers from pre-k to roughly second grade, or, really, anyone who wants to enjoy a little Library fun! And now it is easier than ever as “Off the Shelf” comes right to you!
New episodes of “Off the Shelf” are available on the first Wednesday of every month, through SLPL social media channels. Past episodes can be found below through SLPL’s Youtube channel and are continuously available so young ones can view them over and over. Your "Off the Shelf" friends would love to hear from you and see all the wonderful things you've been doing. Send letters, artwork and photos to offtheshelf@slpl.org.
Episode One:
Welcome To Your Library! Meet your Library Friends in our pilot episode for adventures featuring caring adults sharing interactive songs, drawings, crafts and of course a storybook!
Episode Two:
Your Library is here for you with a big Virtual Hug! Join your Library friends as we explore songs, crafts, art and stories to empower young people with tools to express and cope with feelings during this global pandemic. Use your STEAM skills to create a Hugginator at home!
Episode Three:
The episode explores how sometimes people don't identify with a gender-based pronoun. Our special guest reader is drag artist Celeste Covington, sharing the book "Pirate Jack Gets Dressed" by Nancy Raines Day.
Episode Four: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4:
It is a New Year at Your Library! Explore the New Year in a new way! We offer 4 separate shorter episodes with activities featuring using STEAM, making a bird feeder, and creating some rainbows!
The Honest To Goodness Truth: Let’s watch a play! Join your Library Friends as we jump the story from the page to the stage in “The Honest To Goodness Truth” by Patricia McKissack in honor of Black History Month!
Episode Five: Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3: Episode Five explores ways to express our emotions through singing, outdoor play, and art.
Pinduli: A play inspired by Janell Cannon's book “PINDULI." Faced with torment from the other animals, Pinduli finds a creative way to bring peace to everyone.
