Really, I’m doing well. Thanks for asking.

Folks:

What a terrific week.

We have implemented Curbside Pickup Service, and it went smashingly. Hats off to Roy Harper. Does anyone even remember Something Somber, Something Useful , Something Fun?

As with previous introductions to new services, Hoopla, Books By Mail, etc. many residents are starting to get a membership to join in on the fun. If you’ve been hemming and hawing on getting a membership, this is absolutely the time to do it.

Slowly but surely, “and don’t call me Shirley,” things are opening up. Eventually, holds from other libraries will start to trickle in. So, keep placing holds. Remember you can place up to 20 at a time. After your 20 requests come in you can request another 20. You can do this until you have – wait for it – 50 items checked out! And that’s per card.

Here’s a great stat. Each resident pays about $50 per year for the Library—$50 PER year. So if you borrow only two books, one DVD and a game, you have already received more than double the value of your initial investment. If you borrow two books, one DVD, and a game every week, you will eventually bankrupt Amazon. And let’s not forget, any book, DVD, CD, or videogame on Amazon is accessible through the Thayer Memorial Library. Why buy what you can borrow?

Enough of that.

Today we finished another meeting to plan the next stage of expanding services, which will be to let everyone in. I understand that it may appear that this is a simple trick, but you have to trust me. It’s not.

We have to keep everyone safe. We have to listen to the Governor, the CDC and the Lancaster Board of Health. The Thayer Memorial Library is not Home Depot which is to say that our buildings and service models are entirely different. If the Library were a big box with uniform aisles, I’d agree that it would be easier, but it’s not and that’s the challenge.

This committee to reopen has a local business owner, a scientist, a professor, a higher education professional, and three Library staff members. This team of people cares about keeping everyone safe and getting people back in the building as soon as possible. We just need time. At least until August 1.

Finally, we’ve freshened up the Library’s website. The homepage is much easier to navigate. However, I just want to draw your attention to something very special that Maren Caulfield – the Youth Services Librarian – has cooked up for this year’s Summer Reading Program. I think you are going to love it because she’s redesigned the experience to work through this new app called Beanstack.

Take a look at the Summer Reading Program page and see what Maren has planned. After seeing some of the prizes she’s providing, I may find that I will have to participate as well. I love Legos.

Let the sun beat down upon your face and have a stellaris weekend.

~ joe​