By Pam West-Finkle

First, I must say that I miss all of my patrons very much!   Until we see how the initial reopening goes, it is difficult to give dates because in reality, no one knows. Right now the estimate is Phase IV at the end of June for us to resume curbside pickup, but this could change at any time. In addition, since we are moving back and reorganizing the newly renovated library, it would be difficult to fill orders because things will be in the process of being moved. Curbside or porch pickups will be by appointment only once we do start up again. In addition, there will be limits to the number of books or DVDs you will be able to take out at one time.

Once patrons are allowed back into the library, most likely only one or two at a time, everyone will be required to wear masks, wash their hands when arriving, use hand sanitizer (if we can procure some) and we ask that you do not come in if you are feeling ill or within two weeks of coming up from the city or an area where there is a larger outbreak of the virus. A Plexiglas “sneeze shield” will be installed at the newly renovated library in front of the circulation desk and all people will be asked to maintain the six foot social distance. Staff and volunteers will be required to do daily temperature tests and should a staff member or volunteer test positive for the virus, we will have to close completely for a quarantine period.

All materials will be returned to the porch once patrons are given the go-ahead to bring things back. Please do not bring these returns into the library but put them into the drop box instead, even when the library is manned. They will be quarantined in a plastic bag for several days before being disinfected and put back into circulation. Items being returned will not be made immediately available for recirculation. This is for your safety and the safety of our library staff.

Our Summer Reading Program will still hopefully take place with some online concerts and story-making workshops for the kids.  In addition, please continue to tune in to the weekly story time, uploaded by 11 am on Wednesdays, and we are still looking for more content providers.  Do you have a special skill or favorite recipe you want to share via a video, zoom group, YouTube or Facebook Live?  Please contact me at an.ill@4cls.org if you do.    Once the move is out of the way, I plan to have some online events such as a Zoom Rock and Roll trivia, a Sing and Sip Karaoke evening, and several concerts.  By the way, our regularly scheduled Writers in the Mountains workshops are now available online, so check out their website at www.writersinthemountains.org

I also greatly encourage anyone who loves to read to sign up for READSquared—a way to log your reading and earn incentives and certificates.  There are four age group categories.  The Andes READSquared website is
http://andeslibrary.ny14.readsquared.com/Login.aspx. There are lots of online books available for kids.  Also, please check our porch regularly as I am barcoding the children’s section and putting our discards out there, free for the taking. To keep the little ones reading and to make it easier for the parents, I have also created over twenty Early Reader kits, each with 8-18 beginning reading books, that will be available for curbside/porch pickup once we are able to start that service.

If you would like to help move books or reorganize the new library, reach out to me via an.ill@4cls.org or call 845-676-3333.  I will create a social distancing move schedule and provide the personal protection equipment.  Be well.  Stay safe and healthy.~