Library update

about us,

Hello, friends.  We miss seeing you and are doing our best to provide you good and safe service.  We’re keeping a close eye on COVID case statistics to determine when we can open to the public for browsing again.  The trend is encouraging.  As soon as we have an opening date, we will let you know.

Meanwhile, we would like your opinion:  Should we have an hour before the library opens specifically for no-contact pickup?  We don’t want to deny access to those who prefer not to interact with staff and public.

Don’t forget that you can order books and movies online or by phone and pick them up with no contact.  And we keep getting new materials all the time, like these new titles for grownups and young people.

No-Contact Pickup Hours

Monday:         1-6
Tuesday:        3-7
Wednesday: 1-5
Thursday:      1-5
Friday:             1-6
Saturday:       10-2

Year in Review

about us, ,

We are saying goodbye to 2020, a tumultuous year to say the least, and welcome 2021.  Let’s take a quick look back.

With the COVID-19 epidemic, we were closed for part of the year and did no-contact pickup for part of the year.  Like many in the community, several members of the staff contracted the disease, but we all recovered.  We greatly appreciate all of you who use the library; you have been great sports.  Thanks for hanging in there with us!

We checked out 14,438 physical items in 2020, which is not bad, all things considered.
For comparison we checked out 21,576 in 2010.  Final numbers for e-book checkouts are still pending, but are expected to be much, much higher than past years.

Our most checked out books were a little more diverse than in previous years, including a board book, easy readers, a juvenile non-fiction book, a chapter book, and even a grown-up mystery.

EVENTS

Before COVID hit we squeezed in a Harry Potter-themed escape room, which was conquered by kids and adults alike.

Shortly after that everything changed, and the rest of the year was all about connecting in different ways.   Summer reading became a take-and-make affair.  We put together packets each week for pre-readers, readers and teens/tweens.  In the end, we distributed 650 over six weeks.  The staff created videos to introduce the contents of each packet and demonstrate the crafts.

 

Our annual Halloween party also became a take-and-make affair.  We gave out 100 or so packets with fun activities, coloring pages, toys and candy.  Luckily, many of our friends showed up in costume to pick them up.  We love to see those great costumes and big smiles!

The community also played along with our in-person and online favorite candy bracket.  After 250 votes, we determined that Lonsdale’s favorite candy is Twix!

We embraced social media more than ever, producing virtual storytimes for kids and book chats for grownups. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, so you don’t miss anything.

Here’s hoping we get to see a lot more of you next year!

 

Holiday Schedule

Hours,

Hello friends.  Just a reminder that we are doing no-contact pickup until you hear otherwise.  Meanwhile, here are our holiday hours.

Christmas Eve (December 24): 1-3 pm
Christmas Day (December 25): CLOSED
New Years Eve (December 31): 1-6 pm
New Years Day (January 1): CLOSED

Happy holidays to one and all and here’s hoping for a bright new, pandemic-free 2021!

Virtual Food for Fines

Events,

As you may know, this is the time of year when we encourage you to donate to the Lonsdale Area Food Shelf by waiving late fees for donations.  Since we are currently not open to the public, we are not collecting food donations this year, but you can still drop off donations at Lonsdale Liquors or you can donate by check or credit card.  Check out the LAFS website for more details.

Then just give us a call anytime from December 7 to December 19 to let us know you have donated and we will waive up to $10 per card in late fees.  (Yes, we’re trusting you.)  Happy holidays!

Library reopening

Hours,

Hello, friends.  We’re sorry that we had to close the library with no notice, but we had a COVID exposure and were required to quarantine.

We are reopening on Monday, November 30th for no-contact pickup only.  That means that you will not be able to come into the library for the time being.  However, you can return your materials in the book drop anytime.  And don’t worry if you have accrued late fees; we will gladly waive them.

How does no-contact pickup work?

You can order materials online through our website or call the library and we will help you select items.  When you’re ready to pick up, call the library and we will set up a time that works for you.  We will check out your materials to you and leave them in the lobby at your appointment time.

We appreciate your patience and hope to speak to you soon.

Check out this video for more information on how no-contact pickup works.

Holiday Cookie Recipe Exchange

Events, , ,

Have a favorite cookie recipe you’d like to share?  Drop it off at the library or email to mmoran@selco.info.

Looking for new cookie recipes to try?  Stop by starting on Monday, November 24 and pick up a copy of the recipes contributed.  We will also share here on the website.

Because you can never have too many Christmas cookies!  (Just don’t eat them all in one sitting.)