Do you value your library? Prove it!

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Libraries need us to use them... that's how they justify their budget to the city. If we don't 'bother' them, then the council members will say "look, your patrons got by just fine without you during covid, you don't need to spend so much money serving them even when things go back to normal."

So request books and other materials, including magazines. Request themed book bundles if they offer them. Follow the library on social media and hit 'sad face' when they announce they're still closed. Watch the videos of story-time. Request purchases of new books you want to read that you think others in the community might be interested in. If they have a Beanstack Challenge, sign up and log your hours.

It's a sort of "use it lose it" thing. Tell all your friends, too!

How do I know this? Both my mom and my son have worked for libraries, and I've been an avid & investigative patron of several different ones for decades.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Your library might not have all the same services that mine does. It might have others that mine doesn't. What else does yours offer?

What else can we do to make it clear that the library provides a priceless service?

[Mike & Lori]

I'm a library worker, and I second this message.
We want to put items in patrons' hands.
We want "likes" on social media.
(We want you to wear a mask if we ask you to -- mostly because it's a good idea, but also because we're a public institution and we have to do what the officials decree.)

[Guilherme]

I wish I could. Most of the libraries in Rio (Brazil) are closed since March -- maybe all, at least all the ones I go to

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Guilherme wrote: "I wish I could. Most of the libraries in Rio (Brazil) are closed since March -- maybe all, at least all the ones I go to"

No ebook lending programs? No curbside pickup?

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

News release:

" Rolla Public Library was among 39 Missouri libraries awarded more than $870,000 through the Missouri State Library to help residents access high-speed internet for telehealth and distance learning in response to COVID-19.
Rolla Public Library will offer up to ten hotspots and 40 devices for the library’s lending program with the assistance of $25,051 through the CARES Broadband Libraries Grant Program.
“COVID-19 has created a massive shift to online services,” Parson said in a news release on the announcement. “Providing our public libraries with the means to meet the need for access to devices and high-speed internet will help close the connectivity gap many students and citizens are experiencing during this time.”"

[Beverly, former Miscellaneous Club host]

I am visiting my local branch once or twice a week to pick up items that I have requested. Still only curbside pick up service. I spoke to the Branch Manager a few weeks ago, and he told me that it will probably be January before the libraries open their doors, so the public can come inside.
In the meantime, the library does send out regular email messages about online events, such as online story times; and recently, they held an online Maker's Fair. This past Saturday, a few of the libraries had artists drawing with chalk on a library sidewalk, and patrons could drive by and look. During the summer, the library did continue its annual Summer Reading Program.
I have never heard of a "Beanstalk Challenge." What is that?

[QNPoohBear]

Some libraries are closed closed? How odd. Ours are open either for curbside and select services by appointment or open doors. Yes of course we must wear masks. The state DOH tells the governor we must and she tells us we must and people seem to be complying indoors anyway- except college students and some parties.

Some programming has moved online but some programs have been cancelled. I subscribe to the big city library's e-mail newsletter, the capital city library newsletter and educational newsletter. I haven't been to the smaller branch within walking distance yet but if the weather gets nice enough I will probably pop in. I unsubscribed from my former hometown library's newsletter. I don't go there anymore, not even to the farmer's market.

The one thing the library provides but isn't right now is study space. It hasn't been deemed safe.

I don't know what else they can do. I'm amazed the city even HAS a large public library left! It's a beautiful Victorian Beaux Arts building leftover from the heyday when the mills were running and the river was polluted but people had money.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Beanstack.org helps libraries eliminate paper reading logs and run more interesting programs more often. Patrons sign up, on PC or app, and record their participation in Summer Reading and other Programs there.

[Guilherme]

Guilherme wrote: "I wish I could. Most of the libraries in Rio (Brazil) are closed since March -- maybe all, at least all the ones I go to"


I wish. We don't really do ebook lending here. And curbside pickup, while a lovely and very simple concept (never thought about that before), may seem like scifi here. We're a mess.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Guilherme wrote: "... I wish. We don't really do ebook lending here. And curbside pickup, while a lovely and very simple concept (never thought about that before), may seem like scifi here. We're a mess..."

Oh so sad. :(

[QNPoohBear]

Guilherme wrote: "
I wish. We don't really do ebook lending here. And curbside pickup, while a lovely and very simple concept (never thought about that before), may seem like scifi here. We're a mess.
."

That is heartbreaking!
I was going crazy without my library!

[Beverly, former Miscellaneous Club host]

Cheryl wrote: "Beanstack.org helps libraries eliminate paper reading logs and run more interesting programs more often. Patrons sign up, on PC or app, and record their participation in Summer Reading and other Pr..."

OK, thanks.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Guilherme wrote: "Guilherme wrote: "I wish I could. Most of the libraries in Rio (Brazil) are closed since March -- maybe all, at least all the ones I go to"


I wish. We don't really do ebook lending here. And curb..."

So sorry to hear that :-(

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

We value our library and have done all we can to show how important it is to our family. I have been a dedicated patron and we do curbside pick up once or twice a week. I actually used to worry we were almost a bother to them, but a few of the staff have commented how much they love seeing the books that I request every week ;-) I've written to both our local branches (one is a county system, the other a city library) letting them know how much we appreciate all of their efforts during COVID. I have let the directors know how valuable the library is to our family, especially as a homeschooling family that it really is an essential service for us because we rely on it for so many of our educational supplies. As I understand it, our county library will start allowing browsing by appointment again. I am sorry to hear about libraries in other parts of the country and world that are struggling to get materials to their patrons. It was really difficult for us just having two months without library services!

[Almira]

Yes, I do ---- I have worked for this library system for 42 years, and we have been "open" to the public since mid-June, although patrons cannot come into the building, they can place holds, do remote printing, check out materials (done by staff).

We are busy, especially with those families having to do remote learning .

I have been interrupted 6 times by phone calls to check materials out to patrons while trying to respond to this question.

Patrons may also have materials "mailed" to them, this service is offered mainly to those who are very high risk.

We offer several online story times and other programs for children, teens and adults.

So Check out your local library's website to see what services they provide to all their patrons.

We MISS seeing you in our buildings!

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Yukon OK has a feature I've never seen before:
---
Have some favorite authors? Arrange to receive new items by selected authors automatically.

Reserve Express
Reserve Express will automatically place you on the reserve list for new books by selected authors. Changes are effective immediately.

Abbey, Sparkle

Abbott, Eleanor Hallowell

Abbott, Jacob

Abbott, John S. C

Abbott, Karen

Abercrombie, Joe.

etc....

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

(I didn't find very many that I am hugely interested in besides Mo Willems, but I did sign up for Nikki Grimes, Karma Wilson, and a few others. Now, will it actually happen? I don't know. But I did just tell their data analysis that these authors are of interest....)

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Cheryl has hopes her life will calm down soonish wrote: "Yukon OK has a feature I've never seen before:
---
Have some favorite authors? Arrange to receive new items by selected authors automatically.

Reserve Express
Reserve Express will automatically pl..."

Oh, wow, that's a neat feature! Keep us posted :-)

[QNPoohBear]

That is a cool feature! I wish we had that.

[Karen]

I'd love a "favorite authors" feature!

I almost always have one or more library books waiting to be read, and often have more waiting to be picked up. I keep library books in tote bags rather than on my TBR pile, or it'd be past the toppling point.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

I agree! Even though I own plenty of books, I hope never to be caught without some home from the library... usually too many!