May 2020 - EASTERN OREGON PARENT - 9
Local public libraries: Closed but not forgotten
By JENNIFER COSTLEY
The Public Library Association
released a survey on April 1. The
topic? “Public Libraries Respond
to COVID-19.” I’ll confess, I was
nervous when I opened the docu-
ment. It’s hard to know if what you
are doing is right when it’s never
been done before. More than 2,500
libraries responded to the survey,
and of those who did, 98 percent
were closed to the public.
But closed to the public and
non-operational are two different
things. Of those closed libraries,
many like Pendleton have tran-
sitioned to an alternate service
model. Pendleton Public Library’s
new model has meant rolling out
innovative ways to provide services
patrons expect from us, as well as
coming up with new ways to serve
a community in crisis.
Here is what we are doing:
Curbside delivery: You may place
a hold on any item in the Pendleton
Public Library collection, as well
as items from a select list of sur-
rounding libraries (see our website
at www.pendletonlibrary.com).
When your item or items are ready
for pickup, a staff member will call,
text, or email to inform you. When
you arrive at the library to pick up
your items, please pop your trunk
and call the library. A staff member
wearing a mask will deliver your
items in a bag to the trunk of your
car.
Mystery packs: We get it, it’s
hard to know what to pick when
you can’t browse the shelves. Let li-
brary staff select for you! If you visit
our website, scroll to the bottom
and select the “Request a Mystery
Pack” button. You will be taken to
a book menu where you can select
the types of items you enjoy. When
your mystery pack is ready, library
staff will call and arrange curbside
pickup.
Virtual Story Time: Check
out our Facebook page for vir-
tual Story Times featuring favorite
read-alouds. Ms. Jennifer and Ms.
Briana love knowing you are watch-
ing, so drop a comment with your
thoughts on the story or any re-
quests for future story times.
Ebooks and audiobooks: Ebooks
and audiobooks are free with the
use of your library card. Just go to
your app store and download the
Libby app. Instructions for getting
started are available on our website
as well as Facebook.
Virtual Crafternoons: Join Ms.
Briana once a week for a craft you
can do with items you have around
the house. This quick tutorial will
help give parents and caregivers
something to do to keep your little
ones’ creative juices flowing.
No fines during pandemic clo-
sure: Are you worried about items
you checked out before or during
the closure? Don’t be. We will not
be charging any late fees during this
time.
Get a library card over the
phone: Meant to get a library card,
but never had the time? All you
have is time, now! Give us a call
and we will fill out your application
over the phone. Be sure and have
your Oregon driver’s license handy.
At the time of the Public Library
Association survey libraries didn’t
know if they would be closed for
two weeks or indefinitely. Some
libraries had tried curbside and
quickly determined it was not a
good fit for their staff. Most librar-
ies were struggling to adjust to
functioning as a virtual library while
knowing all too well that a digital di-
vide exists, preventing many patrons
from accessing new services without
the use of public computers.
The survey will serve as a snap-
shot of a difficult time in history
for libraries. Closure is not what
we do. Historically, libraries have
been a place of refuge in times of
unrest. When Hurricane Michael hit
the Florida panhandle, one library
served as a shelter, housing and
feeding 150 people. During the
2018 California wildfires, libraries
extended their hours to provide a
space with clean air to those who
didn’t have anywhere else to go.
And in 2014 when rioting in Fergu-
son, Missouri, prompted the city
and schools to shut down, it was
the public library that stepped up
to create a pop-up school for 200
displaced children.
Our response in difficult times
is to open our doors and offer as-
sistance. COVID-19 has challenged
us to double down on our efforts
without the aid of our buildings,
computers, or ability to convene as
a staff. We are up to the challenge.
Will you take advantage of it?
________
Jennifer Costley is director of the
Pendleton Public Library and moth-
er of two. You can reach the library
at 541-966-0380.