Folks:

I was going to wait until Monday after the month ended but could not wait to let you in on something. So far, with the hours ticking down for the month of July, Library activity jumped by more than 250% since June! By any measure that is astounding and even exceeded my hopes and dreams.

This is perhaps an early indication that my instincts were correct and that as soon as we expanded some of our services, you all would respond in kind. This clarifies why we continue to be as busy as we are.

When we are not calling folks to pick up holds or programming or even reshelving books, DVDs, games, etc., we are spending an inordinate amount of time arranging the building to -someday- open the Library. As a quick reminder, the Board of Health and I are also working through the draft plan I submitted to them to get us back in business again. It’s slow going since the plan is long, and the Library has to be on the money on every issue. We’ll get there.

The building presents us with more challenges then we initially conceived. Providing the public and staff with a setup that, for instance, preserves social distancing has by itself gone through more than ten revisions. I can understand why some folks that are itching to come in wonder why such a thing as opening can be such a big deal. I wish I had easy answers, but to comply with the Governor’s protocols takes a lot of care and determination.

I am curious to see how the schools address their challenges to open, which I hope will be in a week or so. I think after I see how they are skinning their cats, there is a lot I can glean and perhaps bring to the Library.

In any event, we are here every day, and we continue to prepare holds for pickup, take telephone calls, respond to emails, register patrons for new cards, renew memberships, design online programs, access the special collections, you name it. In many ways, I’m finding we are still undertaking many of the things we all love just behind closed doors.

Before I sign off, if you haven’t registered for Wowbrary, you should over the weekend. We are back to purchasing books, and we just finished processing a boatload of them. Wowbrary is a simple newsletter emailed to you that lists all of the new books, DVDs, games and CDs that have arrived at the Library in the last week. And, the best part is that if you see something you like, you can place a hold while appraising the newsletter. It remains my preferred remote Library service. If you follow the link above you will see the sign-up button in the top left of the page.

Follow these links to, search the catalog, place a hold for Curbside Pickup, renew or apply for a membership, download eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines or simply ask a question.

Wait a minute; there is still another thing I want to mention. I will start taking books and other media donations under exacting circumstances. If you would like to donate books and other media, please respond to this email and I will explain how to prepare your media and arrange a time for you to drop off your donations.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING DONATIONS TO THE LIBRARY BEFORE CONTACTING ME.

Sorry for getting a bit loud there.

That’s another in the books, folks.

Stay well. And remember this sage advice from the Chairman of the Board, “In the hustle of the day, we’re all inclined to miss little things that mean so much. A word, a smile, and a kiss.”

Be kind to each other, and stay well.

~ joe​