YS Librarianship in the Era of Covid

I don’t know that anything during my time as a librarian has proven the adaptability of public library staff quite like the recent challenges we have faced with COVID-19. We have heard the calls of desperate moms at home, left with a permanent twitch from PTSD incurred by hearing the Paw Patrol theme song one too many times in the last six months. YS librarians answered with a host of different ideas---curbside story time, story-time to go, virtual story time. Anything to get their children back into a normal routine and anything to get a break from the pack of cartoon pups and their entirely-too-upbeat-for-this-early-in-the-morning intro song.

At the Barbara S Ponce Library we opted primarily for make-and-take packets in lieu of in-person programming. These packets are released bi-weekly and include various activities that relate to the theme of the week. They include book lists, crafts, STEM experiments, and activity sheets. We’ve had a blast putting together activity kits about pirates, Halloween, and holidays around the world. But even still with to-go programming on the rise, we noticed a significant dip in our circulation statistics.

Our next challenge was meeting the needs of hands-on learners and stepping up to also meet the needs of our apprehensive library visitors. Thus over several meetings and numerous pots of coffee, the idea for interactive book bundles was born. We started with curated book lists on popular topics—unicorns, dinosaurs, trucks, etc. These bundles could be picked up on-the-go or patrons could request a customized bundle on our website. After parents started to nibble on the book bundle bait, we integrated extension activities into the bundles (illustrated below). The objective is to continue to push not only for minutes spent reading, but creating an opportunity to put that reading to use with fun, practical applications.

To date we have infused our animal bundle with puppets, shadow puppet creation kits and information, and an insert with the benefits of puppetry as an early-learning tool. We have a space bundle that includes oreo moon phase activities, space flash cards, and space games. Our current undertaking is to pair our nature-themed picture book bundle with a handheld microscope, prepared slides, and flashcards. Our objective is that all of our book bundles will eventually be paired with activities within the next 3 months.

While we can’t completely soothe the ache we feel as a result of not hosting regular in-house library programs, we can help instill the lives of the families who used to regularly visit us with purposefully-curated book lists and activities that lend themselves to wonderful shared moments in the most trying of times---how better to do this than by reading “A Big Mooncake for Little Star” and nibbling chocolate cookies into various shapes of lunar phases? So we leave you with the wise words of the Cookie Monster, “Today me will live in the moment, unless the moment is unpleasant, in which case me will eat a cookie."

How Can Libraries Enrich their Communities?

As a writer, I tend not to write unless I am faced with a deadline. As an artist, I find myself sometimes apprehensive to produce when I have faced criticism from people I respect. Defense mechanisms.

But I have decided to impose deadlines on myself. To think critically and find a productive means of expressing these thoughts---perhaps generate dialogue and not live alone in my head with my compulsive overthinking habits.

I suppose that was a roundabout way of saying sorry for neglecting this page for the last few years.

Where are we now and where did I see myself 3 years ago?

Storytimes, of course!

Whimsical voices, teaching children engaged listening skills and reading comprehension and endless Raffi tunes.

This happened. I did and still do story times regularly and thoroughly enjoy the events. I hope to establish the reputation of "the crazy library lady who used to read us cat books and wear weird skirts when I was little." Isn't that what we all want? To be the reason someone still loves going to the library years later?

But it's so much more than that and it is so far beyond me!

Thomas Merton once said, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."

Isn't this the truth?

I enjoy stippling. I enjoy purposefully and tediously placing .03mm dots-by-dots onto a blank page until I have something figurative. It helps me tune into my thoughts but keeps me present with the task at the same time.

I coordinate a weekly event for kids called Wee Artists. I give the group a template, the supplies and let them have at it. I can't tell you the joy it brings to these 3-year-old kids to be able to customize their paper caterpillar with glitterbrows and pom pom buttons. They feel empowered. This is something they MADE!

And still we're facing huge federal budget cuts to the arts and humanities. A number of schools are phasing out art class altogether. Where does this leave us?

For me, it leaves us with the task of upkeeping the relevance of arts in the library and in the private sector. We have to insist how important it is for toddlers, teens, and kids of all ages to express themselves by way of glitter, markers and crayons. This stuff is just as important as math and science. Please keep it alive in any way you can.