Storytelling has been carried on in the playgrounds and summer schools for several years.Since 1907the work of playground leaders has been supplemented by storytelling done by public library assistants who visit the playgrounds by invitation,and who are scheduled for this work as a part of their regular library duties.
In the Cleveland Public Library storytelling and reading clubs have been widely developed under the guidance of the director of work with children.In each of the branch libraries two story hours a week are usually held.Storytelling is regarded as a part of the equipment of the children's librarian,and time is allowed from the weekly schedule for the preparation of stories.
Definite neighborhood co-operation is the aim of each branch library.Storytelling visits are therefore made to the public schools,social settlements,day nurseries,mission schools,and other institutions of a neighborhood.Requests for such visits are more numerous than can be supplied.
Storytelling in the settlements is done by club leaders and volunteer workers mainly in connection with club work.Stories were told last season in the children's gardens connected with the social settlement by an assistant from The Home Gardening Association.
Positive results of the effect of storytelling in the Cleveland Public Library are shown in the favorable direction of the reading of large numbers of children by a strong appeal to their spontaneous interests,and by the many requests for library storytellers.The total number of children who listened to stories told by library assistants in 1909was 80,996.The Cleveland Public Library publishes an illustrated "Handbook"containing a full account of its storytelling and club work.
