The Inside Story: Welcome to your library; join in celebrating library week
Did you know that this week (April 4-10) is National Library Week? First observed in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) to highlight the essential role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in trans-forming lives and strength-ening communities. This year’s theme is “Welcome to Your Library”. Obviously, libraries are physical buildings, but the influence and services of libraries extend far beyond those four walls.
The unusual circumstances of the past year have taught the staff of Hastings Memorial Library to literally think outside the box when thinking about how best to serve our community. Craft kits, virtual storytimes, curbside pickup… all of these services came out of the challenges we faced during the pandemic. Now that we are almost out of the proverbial woods, we are again brainstorming what the community needs from the library. What does Perkins County need that we at the library can provide?
The first thing most people think of when they think of the library? Books. We have those, a lot of those, but it goes beyond what you might expect. The stacks of hardcover and paperback books are a core feature of our building, but we also offer a vast selection of eBooks and audiobooks able to be downloaded and read or listened to from home, on vacation, almost anywhere you want to be.
Technology is another mainstay of libraries. We offer the only public access internet stations in Grant. If you need to print, copy, scan, or fax, the library is the place to do it. The library also offers 24/7 Wi-Fi service, so if you need a Wi-Fi connection at 2 a.m., we are here for you. I mean not physically here for you, I will be home sleeping, but you can sit in your car outside the library and the Wi-Fi will be totally be there!
What about programming? We do that, too. Book clubs, storytimes, Summer Reading, After School, craft and activity nights; all of these were in full swing before COVID put a halt to hanging out in indoor public places together. We are ready to get things going again, albeit perhaps a little differently than before. Online Book Clubs? More episodes of our amazingly popular Facebook series “What’s in the Box?”? Small group gatherings? What would you like to see us do?
When you think about it, there wouldn’t be a library without the community around it. Celebrating libraries also means celebrating all the people who visit us in person or online each and every day. So Happy National Library Week everyone! Celebrate by dropping by the library to visit us. Our current hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ebooks more your speed? Hop on the Overdrive app and download a book or magazine to read before bed. Also, be sure to follow Hastings Memorial Library on Facebook and Instagram. We would love to hear from you! Tell us what you love about your library and what you would like to see us do next. Welcome to Your Library, friends. We can’t wait to see you.