Library Update- May 18
The COVID-19 virus has caused unprecedented disruptions to library services. The Carrollton Public Library will continue being closed to the public due to continuing efforts to enforce social distancing to control COVID-19 per local, state, and federal public health officials. The Carrollton Public Library Board meets for their regular scheduled session on May 26, 2020 in person and via ZOOM teleconference at which time more details will be discussed concerning the reopening phases. Meanwhile, the library staff is preparing the library for when patron traffic resumes by painting interior walls, implementing improved hygiene and safety precautions and training while getting core operations functional.
The utmost core operation is the lending of library materials to our patrons. The library staff has developed a “NO-CONTACT” service to fill patron requests during normal business hours beginning May 18th. The “NO CONTACT” service includes taking patron’s phone calls, text messages, emails, or Facebook messenger to fulfill hold requests. The library ask patrons to either call, 660-542-0183, email patron@carrolltonlibrary.com, or reach out to library staff on social media/Facebook messenger: https://www.facebook.com/Carrollton-Public-Library-127287750675022 “When patrons contact us, we will tell them our process of the no-contact services we offer using our front foyer book carts,” states Sue Lightfoot, Library Director. For those curious about their library books they have already at home, the checkout period has been extended to June 1st. Lightfoot continues, “We did away with overdue fines in 2012 when we transitioned to Missouri Evergreen and began resource sharing.” The library’s book drops, located in the front of the main library doors and in the parking lot have remained open. The library does encourage patrons to continue to use the book drops for the return of their materials as another facet of NO CONTACT services.
Another core operation is the Get Connected courier service funded by the Missouri State Library and IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) through LSTA (Library Science Technology Act) grant. The courier service is run by MALA (Mid America Library Alliance) which stops by the library three days each week to deliver interlibrary loans between public libraries. The courier service will resume their operations for libraries across the state the week of May 18th. Library staff have been trained to sanitize materials coming in from patron returns and courier services. Therefore, after the alloted quarantine time has lapsed in house, materials will be available for our patrons from other libraries. Lightfoot explains, “This has been the most missed of our services by our patrons because so many have taken advantage of the resource sharing by the Missouri Evergreen consortium libraries.”
For those patrons that need copies, faxing, and printing services, the library staff have also developed NO CONTACT service options for these needs as well. Just a phone call to the library 660-542-0183 or a quick email with the explanation of what is needed to patron@carrolltonlibrary.com will allow patrons to access these services while the physical building remains closed.
The Carrollton Public Library has digital collections that includes thousands of items using Overdrive through www.molib2go.org or the LIBBY APP or AXIS360 APP, Tumblebooks, and MOREnet’s Learning Express Library and Ebsco for learning resources. Patrons are encouraged to access the virtual library. Go to www.carrolltonlibrary.com or the library’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Carrollton-Public-Library-127287750675022/ and use the web page links to access the many electronic materials available including books, audios, and videos plus digital story times by our staff and Tumblebooks. If patrons do not already have a library card, residents of Town of Carrollton and those residents living outside city limits can get an virtual eCard for access to these digital resources. Please follow this link listed on the library’s website, www.carrolltonlibrary.com, https://forms.gle/scVJ4pbqnk4AHAsc8 to complete the online form or reach out to us by calling the library at 660-542-0183, reaching out by email to patron@carrolltonlibrary.com, or use the library’s Facebook page messenger.
The Library is offering virtual story times everyday during the week on the library’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Carrollton-Public-Library-127287750675022/. The plans for Summer Reading Program and the library’s collaboration with Norborne Public Library will be detailed soon. New and exciting developments are on tap this summer! The library will continue to have Harvester’s Food Network’s snacks available for those children up to age 18 three days each week during the summer months.
Lightfoot states, “The library staff misses our patrons and the interactions we have with them.” We know there is no substitute for a visit to your library. We are committed to getting our library reopened to the public as soon as it is safe. In the meantime, we will be working to find ways to increase the services we can offer through NO CONTACT means and offer electronically through technology during the closure and we will communicate with you through our web page, Facebook, and emails with status updates.
Thank you for your support of Carrollton Public Library. We hope to see you soon. Be Well.
Carrollton Public Library Board, Administration and Library Staff