Library Lovers discussion
Library Events
message 101:
by
Charlene
(new)
Mar 19, 2020 05:09PM
Our Library's drop boxes are open for people to return books. We are in there two days a week to check in books and we are reading the shelves, cleaning, disinfecting whatever needs to be done for 2 hours while we are there. Must say even with all the reading and crocheting I'm getting done I miss working.
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Yesterday our book drop was open because I returned a book before I came home and read the email that said not to return books. There was also a notification saying they would bring any books reserved out to the car for us. I'm not sure what's going on today.
Charlene wrote: "Our Library's drop boxes are open for people to return books. We are in there two days a week to check in books and we are reading the shelves, cleaning, disinfecting whatever needs to be done for ..."That's about what ours was doing except they were mailing books to those who wanted them, probably because the system already has a mail-a-book program. The change to no one going into buildings, no returns seemed sudden. Probably based on new information, as was sudden decision to close.
American Library Association COVID-19 statementhttp://www.ala.org/news/press-release...
Association for Rural and Small Libraries COVID-19 statement
https://arsl.info/arsl-statement-on-l...
I think my library systems are closed for the foreseeable future even though March 31 is date on home pages. Newer postings elsewhere now have later date, have dates removed or say until further notice. Since staff are not going to buildings they could be having problems updating graphics on home pages. The speed of developments could be overwhelming them. Sunday, when they closed, there was one confirmed case in the service area. At 7:00 this morning there were 31 confirmed cases in the service area and many other persons awaiting test results. This number does not include 2 known out-of-state positives who were in the area while possibly contagious.
Mine are closed too with no opening date mentioned.
You may want to check your library for added e content.My library showed no change to announced dates closed that I noticed but I found some added content.
"A new option just made available this week to Pioneer comes from TumbleBooks. It features a collection of eBooks and audiobooks that will be made available to readers through Aug. 31, 2020:
K-6 children's ebook database
K-6 math ebook database
Grades 7-12 ebook database
All ages audiobook database
A huge collection of steamy Romance novels for the older crowd!" (I looked. These range from inspirational to what some might be term steamy.)
Some other announcements:
Award-winning bestselling children's author Mo Willems also has opened up his studio for virtual daily visits. His "LUNCH DOODLE" is scheduled to air live weekdays at noon CDT and remain online to be streamed after.
Audible has announced it will host a selection of stories, free of charge and with no signup necessary, for families with young children while school is out.
The American Library Association's Booklist has been made available in online version for readers. ALA says "COVID-19 Announcement: Access to Booklist Online is free during this unprecedented time."
Despite approaching re-open date local library system staff seem to be preparing to work from home for foreseeable future with staff at home in some cases with children. Oklahoma schools are closed and governor has ordered non-essentiChildren doing book reviews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhF1M...
Another charming child review not yet on youtube but posted on twitter a couple of hours ago:
https://twitter.com/PioneerLibSys
Some staff book talks on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbKR-...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAcxC...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OqCF...
I hope they keep doing these and I like that they are available to everyone not just local library patrons. Anyone else have a library doing anything like this?
Our library is open for people to call and request a book and the librarian will deliver it to your car. As of Friday interlibrary loans are stopping. My librarian friend told me today that they are considering closing completely. The governor closed everything today except for necessary services so the libraries probably will close. I heard Barnes and Noble sales are up.
I think it would help if we each say where we are. I'm in Wisconsin.
The libraries and schools are closed, but my local indie bookseller remains open ... curbside pick-up only. They got an "educational resource" exemption to the governor's order for all business to shut down, except for essential services. I say the bookstore is more essential than liquor stores (which were on the governor's list of essential businesses ...)
Here in Michigan, the libraries are shut down until April 13th by order of Governor Whitmer.
I'm in Oklahoma.Local library part of Pioneer system: closed until further notice. The system covers 3 counties with many small communities and rural areas as well part of the greater metropolitan area of central Oklahoma so there were already online virtual library services in place with chat and more.
Reciprocal card, Metro Library: Oklahoma County which includes most of Oklahoma City. Still has date in April posted but every time I go to the site I expect to see until further notice. Maybe they are waiting for something?
Tulsa City-County Library the other big metropolitan library system in the state closed until further notice. Think they start chat etc. Monday.
I'm in a small town in North Carolina. To my knowledge my library isn't doing anything special. I'm hoping we'll have our monthly book club meeting on Zoom.
I'm in New Jersey.My library is closed as others are in Middlesex County and I'm pretty sure all other counties are. I go in once a week to check the book drop which hasn't been too bad. Our outside bookdrop does not lock so people have been returning books and such. We have, on our Facebook account, told people that they will not be charged any fines and to please keep the books until we open but they still return them. I do miss the interaction from our patrons and hope, when it is safe to open, to see everyone again.
Yesterday we got an email from the librarian who helps get book kits for our book club saying that after yesterday at 5:00 PM library employees weren't even allowed to be anywhere on library property. She was kind enough to get us all a book for our next book and told us not to worry about turning it back in until this mess is over. We're going to have our meetings on Zoom.Charleen, our book drop is locked.
Mod
Sheri wrote: "Yesterday we got an email from the librarian who helps get book kits for our book club saying that after yesterday at 5:00 PM library employees weren't even allowed to be anywhere on library proper..."We can't lock our bookdrop, there is not way to do it with the new building. I really want to give the architect who worked on this building a piece of my mind (and probably some other things as well.)
Charlene wrote: "We can't lock our bookdrop, there is not way to do it with the new building. I really want to give the architect who worked on this building a piece of my mind (and probably some other things as well.)"Maybe library here had the same architect. Several years ago changes led to the book drop into building being closed. Taped it closed from outside and taped sign over it. Blocked it with cardboard from the inside. People took the sign off, took the the tape off, removed the cardboard even though the book drop container is just a few feet away and should be too big to miss.
L J wrote: "Charlene wrote: "We can't lock our bookdrop, there is not way to do it with the new building. I really want to give the architect who worked on this building a piece of my mind (and probably some o..."People are nuts.
L J wrote: "Charlene wrote: "We can't lock our bookdrop, there is not way to do it with the new building. I really want to give the architect who worked on this building a piece of my mind (and probably some o..."Also when the Library was expanded the front entrance was done in such a way that we can't put in those security gates by the doors because of the way it would be in the way of the ramp that lets the people who need that. And when he designed the front desk he forgot to put in draws so that we could put our pens, pencils, etc there. One of the ladies did take the old draws from the old library and we had someone install them for us. Can you say STUPID.
Is he related to someone in your city government and didn't need his plans approved?
Sheri wrote: "Is he related to someone in your city government and didn't need his plans approved?"Tell the truth I don't know but don't you hate that you have to take the lowest bid. Oh and another thing. Was suppose to make the windows in the childrens room smaller so we could put more shelves there. Didn't happen. Anyone have a voodoo doll.
hahahaha. Makes me wonder who approved the changes he made. Seems like the upgrade didn't turn out like an upgrade after all.
Sheri wrote: "hahahaha. Makes me wonder who approved the changes he made. Seems like the upgrade didn't turn out like an upgrade after all."Well at least the building is bigger and we can put more books on our shelves.
Metro Library Oklahoma City/County changed "closed until at least" date from mid April to Thursday, April 30. Most libraries in the state are closed and most of those until further notice. A few still have some staff coming in. One that is closed is passing prepackaged meals through the back door to children. I'm familiar with the town from years ago and unless they have moved it the library is sort of central in the older part of town.I love the ones that are saying things like: The library is closed but WiFi is available in parking lot. or Closed. WiFi will remain on 24/7.
Our WiFi is still on and you can sit in front of the building and use it, as long as it isn't raining that is.
Sheri wrote: "Is he related to someone in your city government and didn't need his plans approved?"Well there was nothing wrong with the building itself, just some of the inside things that really don't have anything to do with the structure. I don't think the inspectors would take into account of the problems we had to not approve the addition to the building itself. We have been managing as we find stupid stuff done. We can live with it.
Glad you can live with it. When the county re-did the school health offices they left out cabinets and drawers and storage. 3 people shared space in the original office so they could work as a team but the new office isn't big enough for 2 if you're in it at the same time. And all of the stuff school nurses use during the year and turn back in at the end has to be put in a warehouse. Whoever thought up that plan wasn't thinking correctly.I miss my library. Ours is a busy library to start with but after this I'll bet it will be even busier because people may realize they may not always have the opportunity to go to one.
Sheri wrote: "...I miss my library. Ours is a busy library to start with but after this I'll bet it will be even busier because people may realize they may not always have the opportunity to go to one. "I hope you are right. I'm concerned that some may get out of the habit of coming to library. Some may transition to e copies and use library e services but not come to building. I'm sure many will return but some may be lost. I'm thinking of this like when a business has to change locations. There are new customers added but there are customers lost. Some of the lost may eventually return but some are lost forever.
Sheri wrote: "Glad you can live with it. When the county re-did the school health offices they left out cabinets and drawers and storage. 3 people shared space in the original office so they could work as a team..."I wish the people who design buildings like this would ask those who work in them what would be best. But that would make to much sense. I saw pictures of libraries that have been built and the building looks lovely but the access to some areas is STUPID.
Charlene wrote: "...I wish the people who design buildings like this would ask those who work in them what would be best. But that would make to much sense. I saw pictures of libraries that have been built and the building looks lovely but the access to some areas is STUPID."That is so true. Years ago while rest of campus was being redesigned to make it accessible the interior of the library underwent a redesign as well but the redesign of the library made it less accessible. Never could figure out why the library was redone the way it was but a new head librarian had been hired and evidently he liked the new look.
Charlene wrote: "Our WiFi is still on and you can sit in front of the building and use it, as long as it isn't raining that is."I don't know about our library wifi.
I do know of one little man who is at the library every day and has been for years. Every time I go he's there no matter what time of day. I've wondered for years if he's homeless and now I wonder where he is during the day. He's never asked anyone for money, I think he speaks Spanish, and he is mostly clean so I'm not sure, but he is literally there every day all day long.
Sheri wrote: "I don't know about our library wifi. I do know of one little man who is at the library every day and has been for years...."
He could be homeless or live near and not have anyone with whom to socialize or anywhere else he'd rather go.
There's senior housing near local library and some of the residents are frequent library visitors. There's one man who walks over almost every day. I think he misses when weather is very bad. Other residents come in regularly, some 2 or more times each week. I'm as concerned about their mental health as their physical health. A friend who helps with library book sales lives there and management has become very strict about who comes in, even into the lobby area. At least they do have a small room in the lobby area with books residents can borrow.
Mod
Julie wrote: "We have a few homeless at our library. One man we would see every winter reading in the magazine room or in a corner chair dozing. I was told he lived in the forest preserve during the rest of the ..."Libraries have become day havens for the homeless. One woman who spent her time sitting in lobby told me she hadn't been in a library until one of the first homeless shelters she was in told her to go to library when she had to leave shelter in the morning. She was told that at other shelters as she traveled around the country. She said in a very surprised tone, "It's nice!" Some libraries have provisional cards that give homeless computer access and some let them check out a book.
I had gotten an email about libraries that when designed were not access designed for everyone and this one in New York while the building is certainly interesting access for those who can't use stairs was stupid. You can see in this article the space that was used for fiction. If you can't walk well or walk at all you cannot use it. They say the staff will always get books for you but what many people want to do is browse. I think they changed was they have in this area but it was stupid to start with.https://untappedcities.com/2019/09/20...
Charlene wrote: "I had gotten an email about libraries that when designed were not access designed for everyone and this one in New York while the building is certainly interesting access for those who can't use stairs... I think they changed was they have in this area but it was stupid to start with."Thanks. Interesting building but not very user or staff friendly.
I knew there had to be some response to this bad design and there are several.
This article states that the books will be moved. https://nypost.com/2019/10/04/new-que...
I loved the "pretty design isn’t worth much if people can’t use it" quote from Christine Yearwood.
Yelp reviews are few but a couple complain about the noise and looking at the interior it's easy to see why.
L J wrote: "Charlene wrote: "I had gotten an email about libraries that when designed were not access designed for everyone and this one in New York while the building is certainly interesting access for those..."Architects want a building everyone will OH and AH over. But that usually means it is difficult to work in.
It is a beautiful design. It should be at a cost of 41 million dollars. WOW! Guess they couldn't afford an escalator after that.
Mod
Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "Considering that the virus can stay active on surfaces I would hesitate to check out a paper book right now. How does one sanitize a book?"One of the things I pointed out when it came to donations and May book sale - which we cancelled.
Best advice info at moment: Virus seems to live longer on hard surfaces such as glass and plastic than on cardboard. Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe off a book. Which is practical when it comes to one book but not hundreds and I'm not sure how reliable that advice is.
It doesn't live on the surface of paper or cardboard for very long. 24 hours is what I've heard most often. Leave the book(s) sitting in a room for 3-4 days and they should be safe to handle again. The hardcovers with plastic protective sleeves should be easy enough to wipe off. Tedious, yes. But doable.
Also ... I just noticed that all my currently checked out books now have a "due date" of 01June20 ! So, my libraries are not planning to open any time soon.Still, I'm trying to read all the library books I have out now FIRST, so I'm ready to return them as soon as the library does re-open.
Book Concierge wrote: "Also ... I just noticed that all my currently checked out books now have a "due date" of 01June20 ! So, my libraries are not planning to open any time soon.Still, I'm trying to read all the libra..."
My libraries keep extending due dates as re-open date changes. I'm looking at several libraries and one that is closed until further notice says books will have due date of at least 1 week after they re-open and please do not return them before that date. No fines if you keep them longer just please don't bring them back sooner.
Heard from someone yesterday that their library is encouraging people to come sit in their cars and use the WiFi. Provider has said if needed they will up the plan at no charge. Sorry, don't know which of the people I talked to mentioned it so not sure what state. I'd heard providers were planning to do this. Good to know some them actually are doing it.
Lady ♥ Belleza wrote: "Considering that the virus can stay active on surfaces I would hesitate to check out a paper book right now. How does one sanitize a book?"You check it out wearing rubber gloves and let it sit in the sun for 48 hours before you open it. If you're really worried, wear gloves to read it. But a book would have to be wildly popular to have passed through very many hands before it came to you since the pandemic began.
Central Oklahoma library system where I have reciprocal card states closed through at least April 30 but has cancelled all events taking place at brick and mortar locations through May.Events still happening at Branch: Library Online.
Had a library board meeting today. Seems that the Governor may be announcing all school closed through end of this term. Not certain what that means yet for the libraries. Plans are afoot for a "slow opening" when the current "safer at home" order expires on April 24. Probably re-institute curb-side pickup and limited selection for only the patron's own branch (as opposed to sharing books between branches county-wide). Most of these decisions are out of our control and we just have to wait to see.
Update ... Governor has extended the "safer at home" order until May 26. But has also expanded his list of "essential" business and is making some allowances for allowable adaptations (like he allows take-out/delivery for restaurants). Haven't seen the actual order yet, but fingers crossed that libraries will be in this group. Especially as educational resources now that the schools are to remain closed for the remainder of this current school year (applies to all K-12 whether private or public).
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