While the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect our day-to-day life, we just want to remind you that the West Liberty Public library is just as lively as ever!
To begin, we can be found online, including two monthly adult book clubs on Zoom, weekly Children’s and Toddler’s Story Times on Facebook Live and weekly do-it-yourself craft videos posted every Friday on our social Media. To learn more visit our newly designed website www.wlpl.org.
Both of our book clubs meet monthly through Zoom. Books are always available for check-out from the library through our Library Pick-Up Program.
In order to participate, email us at wllibrary@wlpl.org and we'll get back to you with the Zoom information needed. You'll need to have either a computer with a camera and a microphone or a smartphone to participate.
New book clubs
Our first club, “The Page Turners,” meets online via Zoom to discuss the latest and greatest works of fiction. For October we're reading “The Invited,” by Jennifer McMahon. It tells the story of a husband and wife who don't simply move into a haunted house, but build it from the ground up. The Zoom meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m.
Our second club is called “Booked on Crime.” It meets online via Zoom to discuss books of crime, passion, and mystery. For October we're reading “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” by David Grann. This true story follows the fall of the Osage Tribe in the 1920s when oil was discovered beneath their land. The Zoom meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m.
Something for the kiddos
But what about the kiddos? Well, thanks to Youth Librarian Lily Smith we continue to produce live and interactive content to keep them happy.
Family Story Time is held the first and third Thursday of every month at 10:30 a.m. Visit the West Liberty Public Library's Facebook Page, grab your favorite stuffed animals, and join for a live reading of good books with fun songs. All ages are welcome to join the fun targeted at children ages four to six.
Toddler Time is held the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 10:30 a.m. Visit the West Liberty Public Library's Facebook Page for a live reading of fun stories. Parents and child caregivers can follow along with your babies and toddlers as the library produces songs, rhymes, lap bounces, and book readings. All ages are welcome to enjoy the fun aimed at infants to children three years of age.
Then there’s Five-Minute Fridays for families and children of all ages. Every Friday, Youth Librarian Lily posts a five-minute craft video for all ages in order to kick start the weekend. Short, sweet and straight to the point, it's fun for everyone!
As mentioned before, www.wlpl.org has been revamped with new features and a fun new look. When users get a chance come check it out, on it you can learn more about the library “Pick-Up” program, which allows readers to browse our catalog, call us, then pick up your order in our building while the library is open within 24 hours.
New features
We’ve also added several other features, including the ability to make purchase suggestions or make interlibrary loan requests online by filling out a simple form.
Then there’s “Librarian’s Choice,” where you can let our librarians do the work for you. Don't know what to read? Well, we have suggestions.
For our patrons, if you're not sure what to pick up next or just want to know our favorite reads, fill out a form we'll get back to you with a list of suggestions.
Of course, you can also use our website to access our upcoming events, do some genealogy, learn about our services and sign up for a digital library card. Signing up for a digital card allows new patrons to use our online resources such as Bridges, Gale, Credo Reference and other tools to access books, magazines, journals and our sources. If you already have a library card, you can access these resources online right now on our website.
Also, did you know we have Zoom account that can be used by our patrons to host their own meetings and get-togethers? Give us a call to help set it up at 319-627-2084. We may not be able to provide a physical space for these meetings, but we can provide one online!
Finally, our website allows you to search our ever-growing catalog with a quick press of the ribbon at the top right corner. It’s oh-so easy to see what the library has on its shelves.
On that note, the West Liberty Public Library continues to be closed to the public, but our front access way remains open during library hours for Library Pick-Up.
Although we’ve missed the public, we are taking the opportunity to revamp the indoor space. Let’s just say, when we can finally open our doors to the public once again, it’ll be like a brand-new library!
Jacob Lane is a communications manager for the West Liberty Free Public Library. He produces this column with the guidance of library director Allie Paarsmith. Either can be reached by calling the library at 627-2084.