Letter to Our Patrons: Library Updates
Dear Library Patrons,
One thing we have learned during this challenging time is that
people love their libraries and miss visiting in person. Please know that the
Library misses you too! We’ve worked hard to adjust our services to best meet
your needs while adhering to local, state, and federal guidelines for
shelter-in-place, and we’re pleased to offer some exciting updates. This week
we started curbside service at Aptos, Scotts Valley and Downtown to deliver
books that patrons have had on hold since March. In June, we will expand our
services to Felton and Live Oak. At that time, we will be responding to all new
requests. After the County Health Officer reports that it is safe to do so and
the Libraries are retrofitted to provide safe service, we will begin opening
our doors to provide limited public access, but we do not have a date yet on
when that will occur.
The Coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the socioeconomic and
racial inequality in our community. SCPL had already developed our 2020 work
plan before the pandemic hit, and in recognition of these inequalities had
already planned to focus our efforts on digital and information literacy,
helping vulnerable populations, community learning and discussion
opportunities, and online services. The arrival of shelter-in-place accelerated
that process for us, but did not significantly change library goals for
service. Since the crisis, the Library has prioritized students and made a
Digital Concierge Service that is staffed by Librarians and it is available to
teachers to support them in the new arena of online learning. We also worked
with vendors so that students could easily transition to a digital library card
and access all of the Library’s databases beyond its walls. But there is
more that we need to do so that students and adults aren't left behind as
digital learning becomes the main platform for academic and career growth.
Another fortunate resource that allowed us to quickly pivot and
respond to the crisis was the information that our professional association,
the American Library Association had the foresight to write up to help guide
libraries through planning for pandemics, prior to our current crisis. Before
the coronavirus reached the US, we drafted a plan to prepare for the potential
implications of a pandemic to its services. And while the Library’s public
facilities closed on March 14th, the Library never ceased delivering services
to the community.
In anticipation of more relaxed shelter-in-place orders, and in
addition to ramping up virtual services since the Library closed its physical
spaces, the Library has also spent the last 6 weeks carefully planning a phased
roadmap to reopening our facilities. Much like the State and Federal reopening
guidelines, our plan is intended to allow us to expand services when appropriate.
We are also prepared to return to earlier stages of our services, if the health
crisis worsens.
In the meantime, we’ve connected you with your local librarians
through Library Programs that have gone virtual. For children,
interactive and pre-recorded storytimes, STEAM activities, and crafts are held
weekly. For adults, Evening Reads, Conversations for Change, and virtual book
groups, are regularly scheduled, with more programs being added for both adults
and children. Visit the calendar at santacruzpl.org/calendar for schedules.
SCPL’s annual Summer Reading Program has also gone virtual!
Imagine Your Story is the 2020 Santa Cruz Public Libraries Summer
Reading Program. Kids, teens, and adults are invited to read, do activities,
and attend virtual library programs to earn a book and chances to win prizes.
The program runs June 1 to July 31. Register at santacruzpl.org/srp after June 1st.
If you don’t have a library card, you can still apply for one
online! for instant access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, News,
Movies, and Music 24/7 from home. You can also download our mobile app,
available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Spanish language version coming soon!
Library staff are happy to talk you through downloading online services seven
days a week, from 10am to 5pm by calling: 831-427-7713. You can also contact us
for any questions at this number, via email at eLibrary@santacruzpl.org or text us
at 831-264-0647.
We miss you very much! And we are constantly working to bring back
services and develop new ones while maintaining the health and safety of our
staff, patrons, and community.
Sincerely,
Susan Nemitz, Director of Libraries
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