![]() And their efforts weren’t limited strictly to reading materials. They answered phones, chatted and emailed with patrons to answer questions and help them get information. Very early on, we also figured out how to provide curbside service for books and printing services.”Ĭentral Arkansas librarians remained available to the public. “We streamlined the process for applying for a library card online so that patrons could quickly and easily download e-books and digital materials. She said the first priority was definitely making sure patrons could check out books. Lisa Donovan is the system’s deputy executive director of library operations and director of literacy and learning. Librarians in the Central Arkansas Library System, with 13 branches in Little Rock and surrounding cities, ramped up efforts to restructure services. She’s been particularly impressed with how they provided both storytimes and Little Free Pantries in the library parking lots. Kimberly Mitchell’s children also loved the craft option they had through the Rogers Public Library, while Mitchell was most thankful for the videos of the librarians showing how to actually do crafts.īenton resident Ricci Ellis has always appreciated being able to download audiobooks and e-books from the Saline County libraries. It was a real lifesaver for Lee as she worked remotely while caring for her preschooler. The librarians made craft kits for kids to take and complete at home. “I hope that we continue to develop a better understanding of the ongoing barriers our patrons face so that we can find ways to break through them.” Library Creativity Around Arkansasīrittney Lee and her daughter took advantage of the appointment process at their local Fort Smith Public Library to visit regularly and get new books. And she hopes libraries can use what they’ve learned to evolve. Curbside service, lendable technology, and the ability to check out Wi-Fi hot spots are useful accommodations at any time. Gresham points that much of the assistance that the Springdale location was able to provide in the last 12 months existed even before the pandemic reached Arkansas. Springdale library’s organized curbside procedure allowed us to check out materials, pull up in our car and take our books from a table after texting or talking to a staff member inside. Throughout everything, the biggest advantages we had were our staff’s creativity and our patrons who were so gracious and flexible with us as we adapted our services.” “It was hard, especially for us in the information industry, to know that no one had answers at first. She credits the ingenuity of both the staff and the people they serve. ![]() As the staff learned more about how COVID-19 was transmitted and the best practices for working with the public, they used that to guide them toward each next step. She said the top priority was, and still is, balancing the community’s health with the needed community services. Welcome to Your Public LibraryĪnne Gresham is the assistant director of our local Springdale Public Library. They understood that books had “stay in quarantine” for a period of time before being put back in circulation. After a few weeks of hybrid schedules and virtual learning, each of my children knew precisely how many books they could check out, and why. And when my children found out retrieving coveted books was as simple as grabbing takeout from a local restaurant, they were all over it.Īs their classes started back in the fall, their school librarians were on top of procedures. Curbside pick-up became a household term. Reservations helped ensure recommended limits on crowds. Virtual programs allow children to see and listen to storytimes. The 2021 theme, “Welcome to Your Library” is especially fitting for a year when the ability of library staff to make materials accessible was as creative as the thousands of stories found on their shelves. It marks the observation of National Library Week (4 th-10 th) and School Library Month. Celebrating Arkansas LibrariesĪpril is the official month for celebrating libraries. As the pandemic closed doors statewide, the resilience of library staff opened wide up. ![]() But their panic really set in when they found out that our local library building had temporarily closed.įortunately for them and me, Arkansas librarians did not want anyone to be without a book. In the pandemic-themed spring of 2020, my children didn’t get particularly nervous with the switch to virtual schooling or when their sports activities were put on hold.
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