Library Brings Virtual Resources to Patrons
By: Bryan Kurp
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GIBSONIA, Pa. – Libraries offer more than books to the public. Patrons can surf the internet on the public computers, print documents if they don’t own a printer at home or attend public programs.
On March 13, Northern Tier Regional Library along with all other libraries in Allegheny County were shut down because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Patrons now have no library to go to.
“Things just happened a lot faster than I thought they would,” Diane Illis, director of the Northern Tier Library said. “That first Monday, I had the staff come in and we talked about what we were going to do and that gave people the opportunity to gather some stuff to take home. We thought that would be for just two weeks but it just keeps going.”
Since patrons are unable to go to the library, Northern Tier increased online resources, such as ebooks and audio books.
“We’ve been trying to put more money towards (virtual resources) because that’s the one option people have,” Illis said. “We are trying to encourage people to do that because that way you can still get your reading material or your listening material.”
Northern Tier Library is also doing virtual programs for people of all ages. One of the library’s more popular family programs is children’s story time. Since closing, the library has been livestreaming the story times on its Facebook page. Other children and adult programs are posted on Facebook as well.
The virtual programs have received a good bit of attention from the public. From March 16-31, the library held 17 programs ranging from story times to adult book discussion groups. All the events combined reached 12, 418 people and received 5,427 views, according to Illis.
The library is planning a virtual reading club known as “Stay Home & Read,” which is open to children and adults.
“It’s all virtual where you register and then you log your books,” Illis said. “We’re going to have raffles and prizes based off of everyone who is reading and logging their books.”
The library also has a summer reading club for children and teens each year. Depending on when the library is able to open back up, the event will still take place but some programs will be held online.
“We’re hoping that we’re going to be open by June, but obviously we’re not going to be able to do the summer reading club the same way that we have done it in the past,” Illis said.
While some programs will be held online, the library plans to have family-oriented events, like take-home crafts.
“We would create a kit and put it in a bag,” Illis said. “Patrons can come in and just pick it up, take it home and do it. They can post pictures online or bring the finished product in and we can display it at the library.”
No matter how long the library remains closed, Illis has a goal for her library and the patrons once it does open back up.
“My first goal is to still be relevant to our patrons,” Illis said. “I don’t want this, you know, if people don’t have their library for three months, they think ‘I’m okay without that.’ I don’t want that to happen. I still want to be a part of their lives.”