Good morning, I’m collecting (very) short contributions about the impact of covid/shutdown on Jewish libraries/librarians/writers/scholarship for News and Reviews. If anyone would like to contribute a paragraph, it would be greatly appreciated. My hope is compile a snapshot of experiences. Thanks, Sally
On Tue, Jun 16, 2020 at 8:04 PM Michele Lefler via Hasafran < hasafran@lists.osu.edu> wrote: > I actually work in a public library and we reopened with curbside service > yesterday. I don't mind answering questions or giving a brief rundown of > how we are operating if you all want to know. > > *Michele Lefler, MSLIS* > > *Director of Paul Smith Library of Southern York County* > > 717.235.4313 | mlef...@yorklibraries.org > > yorklibraries.org > > > [image: 1514559487841_YCL-PAU] <http://yorklibraries.org> > > *Create your legacy today by leaving a planned gift to your local library.* > > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Hasafran <hasafran-bounces+mlefler=yorklibraries....@lists.osu.edu> > on behalf of Ann Abrams via Hasafran <hasafran@lists.osu.edu> > *Sent:* Monday, June 15, 2020 10:18 AM > *To:* rhaus_...@yahoo.com <rhaus_...@yahoo.com> > *Cc:* Hasafran <hasafran@lists.osu.edu> > *Subject:* [EXTERNAL]Re: [ha-Safran] Synagogue library open for curbside > pickup? > > Thanks to Andrea for initiating this, and to Rachel's response. This > is very helpful to me, right now, as I've been asked to give input re: how > the library space should/could be used for the unforeseeable future, as > well as possible services like curbside. > > I'd encourage folks to research what your area public libraries are > doing. Massachusetts librarians have been great about posting what > they're doing. > > Here's an article from the Boston Globe that may be of interest for a lot > of reasons: > > Sequel to a lockdown: Libraries offer curbside book service as they move > toward reopening their doors > By John Laidler Globe Correspondent,Updated June 11, 2020, 5:15 p.m. > > <https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/11/metro/sequel-lockdown-libraries-offer-curbside-book-service-they-move-toward-reopening-their-doors/?event=event25> > <https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Sequel%20to%20a%20lockdown%3A%20Libraries%20offer%20curbside%20book%20service%20as%20they%20move%20toward%20reopening%20their%20doors%20&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bostonglobe.com%2F2020%2F06%2F11%2Fmetro%2Fsequel-lockdown-libraries-offer-curbside-book-service-they-move-toward-reopening-their-doors%2F%3Fevent%3Devent25&via=BostonGlobe> > <https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/11/metro/sequel-lockdown-libraries-offer-curbside-book-service-they-move-toward-reopening-their-doors/#bgmp-comments> > 1 > <https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/11/metro/sequel-lockdown-libraries-offer-curbside-book-service-they-move-toward-reopening-their-doors/#bgmp-comments> > [image: Assistant librarian Sandy Bumpus holds up a book to get a patron's > attention outside the Abington Public Library, which recently began > offering curbside service.]Assistant librarian Sandy Bumpus holds up a > book to get a patron's attention outside the Abington Public Library, which > recently began offering curbside service.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff > > When the Abington Public Library had to shutter its building March 13 due > to COVID-19, the move came as a blow to its staff members. > > “Not being able to provide the town with the open and welcoming community > center — which is what libraries are — is heartbreaking,” said Deborah > Grimmett, the town’s library director. > > But it did not take long for the library to find a way to continue serving > the public despite the pandemic. > > “We quickly adapted,” Grimmett said, noting that within days of the > closure, staff — working from home — began shifting many of the library’s > programs to a virtual format, including book club meetings, author visits, > and story times. The library also expanded its digital book, audio, and > movie offerings, and plans a virtual summer reading program. > > > ------------------------------ > ------------------------------ > > Most recently, Abington began offering curbside pickup of books and other > materials on May 26,when libraries statewide were allowed to begin > providing that service under the state’s reopening plan. > > Libraries will be allowed to offer limited public access to their > buildings during the next phase of the state’s reopening plan, with some > expected to begin doing so by August. No projected dates have been set for > when libraries can fully reopen. > > Despite the temporary loss of their facilities, municipal libraries across > Massachusetts have been at full throttle through the health crisis, rolling > out new and expanded remote services to compensate for the loss of > in-person ones even as they prepare for gradual reopening. > > “It’s incredibly difficult for everyone,” said Celeste Bruno, > communications director for the state Board of Library Commissioners. “One > thing we’ve all learned from the pandemic is that human interaction is > essential.” > > But she is not surprised libraries were able to adjust. “It’s the sort of > thing libraries do,” Bruno said. “It’s all about meeting the needs of their > communities, and when the community couldn’t come through the door, > libraries got online and started making this happen.” > > > ------------------------------ > ------------------------------ > > In addition to their virtual programming events — which are cataloged on a > new website maintained by the Board of Library Commissioners — libraries > have continued to serve residents through loans of eBooks and audiobooks, a > service expanded statewide last year. > > “Our eBook borrowing is through the roof,” said Paul Engle, Brockton’s > library director, a trend also reported by other libraries. > > “We are incredibly busy,” said Mark Contois, Framingham’s library > director, noting that when the library closed, “We pivoted and became a > 24-7 electronic library.” > > The city’s library patrons now can participate through Zoom in programs > ranging from knitting club sessions to stretching classes and history > talks. The library also launched a YouTube channel to air story times for > adults and other entertainment, expanded its online databases, and began a > new feature in which patrons can chat online with a library staff member. > > Library staff also have stepped out of their normal roles to make wellness > calls to local seniors, answer 311 city information calls, and create a > website guide on shopping at supermarkets and pharmacies during the > pandemic. And the library temporarily converted its outdoor book return > bins to donation boxes for face masks sewn by local residents. > > “We are big believers that the public library is the heart of the > community, and we knew there was a great deal we could do to help the > community in a time of need,” Contois said. > > > ------------------------------ > ------------------------------ > > Not only are the Brockton library’s story times, book club meetings, > poetry readings, and other programs now offered virtually, but staff have > converted an entire planned series of events on the centennial of women’s > suffrage to an online format. It also distributed 2,000 books to city > residents that were purchased or donated by the library’s nonprofit > foundation. > > “Librarians are service-oriented people so being able to keep ourselves > out there even during a pandemic seemed natural,” Engle said. > > Salem library director Tara Mansfield said her staff quickly moved onto > Zoom such regular live events as playtime for toddlers, bucket drumming, > and book groups. Other programs, such as a children’s science experiment > demonstration, are offered videotaped on Facebook. > > “We were very lucky our staff was so enthusiastic about serving the public > while working from home,” she said. > > Even as they become more virtual, libraries are busy rolling out > contact-free curbside book pickup services in which patrons stop by their > libraries to have books left outside for them. (Inter-library loans remain > suspended till at least July so patrons can only borrow from their > library’s collection). > > Libraries also are preparing for restoring public access to their > buildings, which for some could begin with opening limited areas this > summer. > > Installing plexiglass at service desks, reducing seating at tables, > providing laptops as an alternative to desk computers, and installing floor > markings and signs to regulate foot traffic in the building are all > measures libraries are considering to keep staff and patrons safe when > their buildings reopen. > > > ------------------------------ > ------------------------------ > > “It’s going to look differently,” Mansfield said. “We are continually > trying to think of ways to make things contactless.” > > Even with those new realities, library officials said they remain hopeful > that the long-term evolution of libraries to broader civic institutions > remains a viable one. > > “Libraries have become community centers, resources for citizenship, tax > information, art, music, poetry and dance, all of it. We will get back to > that stage,” Engle said, adding that libraries may even emerge from the > pandemic “a much better, much safer and much more well-rounded institution.” > > “I don’t see us going back to the 1940s when libraries had closed stacks,” > Grimmett agreed. “Libraries will survive and flourish because at the end of > the day, they are about the people who use them.” > > *John Laidler can be reached at **laid...@globe.com* <laid...@globe.com> > *.* > > > On Sun, Jun 14, 2020 at 7:52 PM rhaus_com--- via Hasafran < > hasafran@lists.osu.edu> wrote: > > Since it took a while to get our online catalog > https://fisherlibrary.rmwebopac.com/ up and running, we are only now > getting to curbside checkout. But our system is pretty simple: > > 1) Search for an item or items in the catalog and reserve. > > 2) Staff (i.e. me) checks item out and notifies patron. > > 3) Item is placed on a table inside an outer storm door of our synagogue > (which is open M-F 8am-2pm) for pick up. Returns are accomplished the same > way. Our open hours aren't ideal, esp for parents who are working from > home. But 2pm is when our building manager locks up. I have also allowed > certain people to return items any hour of the day to my home or mail them > in. > > 4) Returned items will be in quarantine for 24 hours, wiped off, then > shelved. We are a small library, so this isn't hard logistically. > > We have yet to decide on delivery for those unable or unwilling to make > the trip. That might be on a case by case basis. But so far, we have not > had requests. > > > Rachel Haus > Library Director > Congregation of Moses Fisher Library > Kalamazoo MI > > > On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 06:48:34 PM EDT, Andrea Rapp via Hasafran < > hasafran@lists.osu.edu> wrote: > > > We are starting to consider this - members reserving/requesting library > items than having a pick up time curbside outside. > There are many factors to consider, so I am wondering whether any other > synagogue libraries are looking at the possibility. > > Andrea Rapp > Wise Temple, Cincinnati > __ > Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual > author > and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries > (AJL) > ================================== > Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: > hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu > To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: > https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu > Ha-Safran Archives: > Current: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html > Earlier Listserver: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html > AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org > -- > Hasafran mailing list > Hasafran@lists.osu.edu > https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > __ > Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual > author > and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries > (AJL) > ================================== > Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: > hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu > To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: > https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu > Ha-Safran Archives: > Current: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html > Earlier Listserver: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html > AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org > -- > Hasafran mailing list > Hasafran@lists.osu.edu > https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > > > > -- > Ann Abrams, Librarian > Dr. Arnold L. Segel Library Center > Temple Israel > 477 Longwood Avenue > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/477+Longwood+Avenue+%0D%0ABoston,+MA+02215?entry=gmail&source=g> > Boston, MA 02215 > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/477+Longwood+Avenue+%0D%0ABoston,+MA+02215?entry=gmail&source=g> > > > 617-566-3960 x116 > Check out our library catalog <http://library.tisrael.org> > > Participate in Temple Israel life virtually. > <https://www.tisrael.org/togetherwithti> > > Do you need help? View our COVID-19 resources. > <https://www.tisrael.org/covid19-resources/> > __ > Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual > author > and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries > (AJL) > ================================== > Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: > hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu > To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: > https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu > Ha-Safran Archives: > Current: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html > Earlier Listserver: > > http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html > AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org > -- > Hasafran mailing list > Hasafran@lists.osu.edu > https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > -- Sally Stieglitz Communications and Marketing Coordinator | Long Island Library Resources Council sstiegl...@lilrc.org | 631-675-1570 x2005 http://www.lilrc.org [image: ORCID] http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1552-9188 LILRC is a member of the Empire State Library Network (ESLN <https://www.esln.org/>) Follow LILRC on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/LILRCouncil/> Twitter <https://twitter.com/lilrc> Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/lilrcevents/>
__ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.osu.edu https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
