Put the wow in Library, or the Rhode in Island

Thayer Memorial Library Posted on by

Folks,

It’s summer, right?

I recognize it’s a challenge to go wherever, and you can forget about wandering outside of New England. It was recently declared that Rhode Island is no longer a low-risk state. What’s with that? Newman!

I’m going to miss not seeing the red hen, sailing along in the Providence while sipping Coffee-milk, and wondering how anyone would know that Rhode Island is the home of the first jail sentence for speeding in an automobile. Who gathers these stats?

Rhode Island, where any drive that takes more than 20 minutes, is a road trip.

Okay, okay enough joshing Rhode Islanders after all their State produced H. P. Lovecraft, the first diner, sideburns, and Mr. Potato Head. Fun!

I digress.

No, before the summer ends, you have to sink into a good summer read no matter if you repair to the chalet, the coastline, the veranda or the family room.

Here are three links to all of the new titles we added to the collections just this week. Some are bestsellers, and even more, were published in the last 3-6 months. There are quite a few “can’t misses” depending on your tastes.

Now, I won’t be able to send you these links every week. Nevertheless, if you want to stay on top of what we are adding to the collections, you have to subscribe to the Wowbrary newsletter. It’s simple and you can opt-out at whatever time you want. You can also place a hold on any title in Wowbrary and come to have it through the Library’s Curbside Pickup program.

That’s another one in the books. Have a terrific weekend, and take one last moment to reflect on the Ocean State through its mottos.

  • Enjoy it now because it ends in 200 yards.
  • Rhode Island: Cooler and Warmer.
  • Rhode Island: It’s like the period at the end of a 49-word sentence.
  • So little done, so much to do.

Indeed.

Keep hope alive in your residence.

~ joe​

P.S. I’m sorry if I offended anyone from Rhode Island, but hey, it could be worse. I’m from New Jersey.

Once again I seemed to feel that old yearning.

Thayer Memorial Library Posted on by

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​

I may not have a lot to give, but I have I will give to you

Thayer Memorial Library Posted on by

Folks:

It’s been a while since I checked in, but things have picked up since we started Curbside Pick-up service and we’ve been busy.

Naturally, when folks stop by the Library, the big question they ask is, “WHEN?” We hear you loud and clear, and the process is moving forward. Here’s what I can tell you today.

  1. The Governor has indeed stated that libraries can start letting folks in. On 06 July 2020, an update to mandatory reopening safety standards, recommended best practices, and a checklist for libraries to reopen in phase III was released.
  2. The Governor also has limited what services libraries can offer. The good news is that Curbside Pick-up service has taken off like a rocket, libraries participating in the holds network [how we get books from other libraries] is growing every day, online services continue to be popular, and we see more of you daily when you come to pick up your requests. It’s through a glass window, but it’s better than nothing.

The Thayer Memorial Library was perhaps the first public library in the Commonwealth to restart loaning services with its Books by Mail program in April, and now the addition of Curbside Pick-up service has made picking up library materials even better.

  • Lancaster has one of the best Board of Health in the area. I don’t wish to judge another town’s efforts to deal with these challenging conditions, but in my experience, and from what I see other directors are dealing with Lancaster’s Board of Health has distinguished itself as a winner. The Board of Trustees and I will defer any decision to open to them. They are the local public health experts, and they know what we are all up against. I trust their judgment, and I encourage you to do so as well.
  • With that said, I have engaged the Board of Health, and productive and frank discussions are ongoing. I promise you together the Library and the Board of Health will reopen the Library as soon as it’s safe.

What’s new?

The staff has been wondering how we can bring serendipity back to the patron experience. That’s really the fun of visiting the Library. You can go to a book store and do the same thing, sort of. But, only libraries provide the experience I’m thinking of.

No two libraries are the same. First of all, the buildings are different, the areas within are arranged differently, the collections can sometimes be quirky and reflect the local character of the community they serve. It’s hard to replace or conjure up something that could replace that sort of thing.

However, I think we have a small idea that may tie us over until we do, in fact, open again.

Starting Monday, July 20, the Library will provide a tiny library in the rear of the building of youth books that are free to take. There will also be some adult titles, but this initiative is aimed at children of all ages who are looking for fun things to read over the summer. Pretty cool, huh? Even better, we have plenty of books that will last us through the rest of the summer, so we encourage everyone to keep checking in.

The hours you can come by and check out what’s on offer just so happen to be the same time people can take advantage of Curbside Pickup service.

Mon   10:00 am — 4:30 pm  

Tues   10:00 am — 2:00 pm         &  4:00 pm — 7:30 pm

Wed   10:00 am — 6:30 pm                    

Thurs 1:00 pm — 4:30 pm                      

Fri       10:00 am — 4:30 pm                    

Sat      10:00 am — 1:30 pm                    

For information on some of the other services we are providing right now, follow the links below.

That’s it for now.

Keep on rocking in a free world, everybody and have a nice weekend.

~ joe​

There’s nothing wrong with my state of mental health.

Thayer Memorial Library Posted on by

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​

Everything, Everywhere, Anyhow

Thayer Memorial Library Posted on by

Folks:

Two biggies to report.

Last Friday, the Commonwealth announced library media deliveries would restart this week. We received our first delivery today! which is yippie-yi-yo-ki-yay in my book.

Starting this Wednesday, the Library’s Curbside Pickup Service will commence.

What follows is what you need to know and do to start placing and picking up holds at the Library.

Introducing Curbside Pick-Up!

Books, DVDs, CDs and everything else to be found in any Library in the CW MARS Network.

Things To Know, Things To Do.

  1. Members
    can request as many as 20 titles to be found in any library in the CW MARS
    network.
  2. Curbside
    Pickup appointments will be scheduled on one of the following days and
    times:

Mon: 10-4:30

Tues: 10-2; 4-7:30

Wed: 10-6:30

Thur: 1-4:30     

Fri: 10-4:30

Sat: 10-1:30

  • Place
    holds for Curbside Pickup Service by following these
    steps.
    • Log
      in to Your Account.
      • Start
        by following this link.
      • Enter
        your “Library Card Number or Username”
      • Enter
        your “Password or PIN”
      • Click
        on
      • send
        an email to jmule@cwmars.org if you don’t
        have any of this information
    • Search
      for something you want in the Online
      Catalog.
Place Hold on Star wars
  • Near
    your choice, click “Place
    Hold.”
    • For
      “Pickup location,” select “Lancaster Thayer Memorial
      Library.”
    • For
      “Notify when hold is ready for pickup?” select “Yes, by
      Email.”
    • Click
      on submit.
    • On
      the next screen, you should see, “Hold was successfully placed.” Click
      “continue.”
    • Repeat
      as many as twenty times.
    • If
      you are not able to request materials online, please call 978-368-8928 Ext. #2
      and leave a message that includes your Library Card Number and the titles you
      wish to request.
  • A
    Library staff member will call you when your hold is ready for Curbside Pickup
    and arrange a time when and place where you will pick up your materials. Please
    provide the name of the person picking up your
    request[s].
  • When
    you arrive, please call the Library Circulation Desk [978-368-8928 Ext. 3] and
    let us know you are outside ready for Curbside
    Pickup.
  • Patrons
    who do not have a cell phone may call to notify staff [978-368-8928 Ext. 3] just
    before leaving their homes. 
  • Requested
    items will be available outside of the Library, on a cart for you to retrieve in
    a safe, touchless manner. All staff and patrons are required to wear a cloth
    face covering or mask when picking up requests.
  • After
    you are finished with reading, watching, or listening to your media, please
    return it to the book drop just outside the Library’s front
    entrance.
  • If
    you need to renew or apply for membership, please follow this link.
  • If
    you have any questions or comments, please contact us by filling out this
    form.

That is it! Once you get the hang of it, it is a piece of cake.

Starting today, requests made following the Books by Mail request protocol will be migrated to the Curbside Pickup Service, and the public will be contacted when their requests are ready for pickup.

In a week or so, the Library will announce that it will no longer accept Books by Mail requests. At that time, all checkout transactions only will be fulfilled through the Curbside Pickup Service.

~ joe​