Site Info

Background

The Research Project

Stories from the Web is a Reader Development Programme managed by Birmingham Libraries. It was originally funded through a Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) research grant and aimed to:

• Investigate how children’s libraries could stimulate the imagination of 8-11 year olds and encourage them to creatively enjoy stories using the Internet.
• Enable children to communicate and work with others e.g. other children, authors and publishers.
• Encourage the development of children’s traditional and electronic literacy skills.
• Help develop children's library services of the future.
  

Children attended clubs in the Centre for the Child, Birmingham Central Library, Bristol Central Library and Compton Road Library, Leeds, They were able to interact with and contribute to a unique website of stories and activities. The project provided an excellent example of geographically dispersed public librarians co-operating together and a strong and positive partnership between children, parents, libraries, publishers, authors and schools.

The project evolved out of a small-scale experiment by the UK Office for Library and Information Networking (UKOLN) to develop a possible service model for a children's library website. The we site was based around Treasure Island and had the aim of getting children to develop traditional literacy skills by reading the novel and at the same time develop electronic literacy skills. The Treasure Island website was very well received and won a number of 'site of the week' awards.

Encouraged by this success, UKOLN became partners with Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds Library Services in the development of a full-scale service model. Stories from the Web was developed out of this partnership and was headed by Birmingham Libraries.

Involvement

Stories from the Web has become a successful reader development tool for both young people and adults working with young people in public libraries. In addition, pilot work is being undertaken in a range of other environments.

There is now the opportunity for Library Authorities to get involved through a subscription model being offered out across the UK. See a list of all the Library Authorities currently subscibing to Stories from the Web. These subscriptions will ensure the continuation and development of the website. For more information contact: doreen.williams@birmingham.gov.uk

The Website

The website is continually being developed and consists of three areas:

Age 0-7 area
Children can find books on the bookshelf, read and listen to stories, send in writing and book reviews for display in the gallery, play games and draw pictures. There is also an Adult's Area with information and links.

Age 7-11 area
Children can read extracts from stories and poems, see author interviews and writing tips, look for books on the bookshelf, join in with writing activities e.g. stories, poems, activities, reviews etc, send in work to be displayed in the gallery, play games, enter competitions and draw pictures.

Age 11-14 area
Young people can send in poems, stories, raps, playscripts, cliffhangers etc for display in the gallery, see author and illustrator interviews, get writing, illustration, poetry and play writing tips, send in book reviews, take part in discussions and votes, enter competitions, see the latest book news and comment on stories and poems by other young people.

How to use Stories from the Web in your Library

Contact Stories from the Web if you would like to know more about how your authority can become a member to benefit from the wide range of value added resources available for your staff and customers.

Email: doreen.williams@birmingham.gov.uk  phone 0121-464-2894