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Back on Track
Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: 2021/07 – July
The Plateau’s twin libraries are boosting their services and programs to meet the needs and desires for their quarantine-liberated patrons.
There is good news, for a change. Local libraries are not only back on track regarding many in-person opportunities, but the prolonged pandemic actually resulted in expanded digital services.
Said Carlyn Morenus, branch librarian for Hudson Library in Highlands, “We’ve long had free Wi-Fi, but now it’s expanded so you can use our Wi-Fi way out in library parking lots as well as in or near our buildings.”
Local libraries are also adding remote printing options, so patrons can print from a phone or laptop, “and even better, you can send a print job from anywhere, and then come to the library to retrieve it,” noted Morenus, adding that another plus is expanded hotspots. “We’ve offered hotspots for students during this strange past school year, and now we have hotspots available for any patron to check out. Hotspots are a great way to try out the technology and see if it works for you before signing a contract with anyone.”
Serenity Richards, branch librarian at Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, is thrilled that in-person programming has ensued. “As we ease our way out of Covid restrictions and back to ‘normal’ life, we are back to offering:
– author talks (Hudson and Cashiers)
– movies at the library (Hudson)
– in-person children’s programs: Cashiers has Storytimes and twice-weekly Stay-and-Make craft programs, plus a Harry Potter day
“And, the list is expanding almost daily,” said Richards. “Plus, we offer one-on-one tech help. Cashiers basically has a full, normal looking summer at this point. In July our special events include the annual book store clearance, and the American Eagle Foundation is bringing in some of their raptors. We’ll be starting movies again in August. Summer Learning Program for kids and adults wraps up at the end of July.”
Lessening Covid-19 cases and deaths, as well as increased vaccinations and acquired immunity cases, means “more people are willing to come in for up-close help again,” said Morenus, “and then they can use all our new digital expansion projects.”
All good news for summer visitors to local libraries!
