Letter from Calvert Library Board of Trustees President

 

To:  Board of Calvert County Commissioners

From: Carolyn McHugh, President, Calvert Library Board of Trustees

Re: Closed but working

Date: March 27, 2020

Dear Board of County Commissioners and Calvert Community,

On behalf of the Board of Library Trustees, I want to take this opportunity to highlight the excellent work and dedication of Calvert Library’s exemplary staff. Even though Governor Hogan has ordered buildings like the library closed to the public, the Calvert Board of Library Trustees-- the governing body of the library-- took a different management and leadership approach and asked the Calvert Library staff to find ways to continue to serve the community. At the Trustees’ request, while many organizations are paying staff to hunker down and ride out this crisis, the Calvert Library staff are doing an admirable job of working remotely to support the community in this time of need.

·         The Library has adapted its phone system to take messages via our main line at 410-535-0291 for information/research questions.  Staff are checking it regularly and responding to community questions.

·         Librarians are responding to getanswers@calvertlibrary.info email regularly to answer all variety of questions.

·         Online programming is being developed to entertain, educate and connect customers to information and one another.  These classes and events will begin Monday, March 30.

·         Librarians are helping community organizations and non-profits look for grants and other relief.

·         Our social media posts, enewsletters and website continue to provide resources that customers are asking for such as:

o   How to educate children at home

o   How to not feel isolated during isolation

o   Trustworthy sources for information about COVID-19

o   How to apply for unemployment during this period

o   What resources are available for small businesses impacted by this crisis

·         Staff are reaching out directly to partners, community organizations and businesses to offer information help, training resources for telecommuting and more.

·         The Executive Director has shifted funds from print collections into digital online collections with additional financial support from the Southern Maryland Regional Library Association. This will enable Calvert citizens have free access to more downloadable and streaming materials from home.

·         All of the library’s hotspots are currently checked out and librarians are asking customers who don’t need them for students or telework to return them for redistribution during this crisis.

·         Monthly limits on Hoopla and Kanopy (digital ebooks, audiobooks, movies and TV shows) from six to eight items per library card per month.

·         Library cards are available from CalvertLibrary.info without customers needing to visit a physical branch.

As indicated by the many activities mentioned above, the Calvert Library staff is passionate about serving our community and they have responded to the Trustees’ requests to continue to do so with alacrity and enthusiasm.  The Board of Library Trustees is proud of the Calvert library staff and we would be remiss if we failed to acknowledge the work they are already doing and the work they continue to do as they actively partner with government and local organizations to get everyone through this challenging time and beyond.

Sincerely,

 

Carolyn McHugh, President
Board of Library Trustees, Calvert Library

 

 

Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

 

Calvert Library Closing Bookdrops, Curbside and Mobile Service (press release)

Calvert Library Closing Bookdrops, Curbside and Mobile Service

March 16, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-474-3160

Message from Calvert Library:

As you know, Calvert Library has been closely monitoring the developments related to COVID-19. This is a constantly evolving situation and we continue to track information from county, state and federal health officials to ensure Calvert Library practices reflect new information as it is available. 

At this time, Calvert Library has decided that curbside, phone reference and mobile services will end today, March 16 at 7pm.  Please do not return your materials until we re-open. We hope to resume regular library operations on Monday, March 30, but as this is an evolving situation, we will continue to evaluate. The health of our staff and customers is our top priority as we work to limit the spread of COVID-19. 

We recommend that you keep informed with reliable sources.  Several can be found on the library website. 

Keep Yourself and Community Healthy

• Practice social distancing. Try to keep an optimal six feet away from other people.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently for 20 seconds.
• If unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer that is a minimum 60-90% alcohol.
• Cough into a tissue or your elbow. Discard the tissue immediately.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• If you are feeling unwell, please stay home and take care of yourself.

During this temporary closure, we are taking several steps to ensure library services remain available:

·        Library staff will continue to answer email reference questions as well as post useful information on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

·        Wifi will still be accessible in portions of our parking lots.

·        Downloadable movies, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and music continue to be available.

·        We are closing bookdrops so they don’t become overwhelmed.  You should hold on to the library materials you currently have until we re-open.  We will extend due dates to the end of April and remember, Calvert Library does not charge late fees.

·        Any library cards that would have expired this month through May 1, have been extended to June 1, 2020.

Calvert Library from Home

• Temporary library cards are available online:  If you don’t have a library card, register for one online for immediate access to our digital library.  We have extended these temporary cards to be valid for 90 days to access all library ebooks, eaudiobooks, downloadable movies, TV shows, music, and online resources.  Once the library is open again, you can come in to verify your address and receive your permanent physical library card.

Any additional information will be posted on our website as well as Facebook and Twitter.  

Thank you for your support, understanding and patience during this difficult time as we work together to ensure the well-being of our community, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Carrie Willson

Executive Director

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(press release) Important announcement from Calvert Library

 

Important Announcement from Calvert Library

March 13, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robyn Truslow
410-535-0291

 

The health and well-being of our community is Calvert Library’s top priority. We understand the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) and the concern about how it will affect our community. We have been closely monitoring the situation as well as the recommendations from the CDC, Calvert County Department of Health and local government officials.

 

In order to promote social distancing and help slow transmission, we have decided to cancel all library events and meeting room usage beginning Saturday, March 14, and to close our buildings to the public beginning Monday, March 16.  We hope to resume regular library operations on Monday, March 30, but as this is an evolving situation, we will continue to evaluate and make decisions prioritizing community safety. 

 

For now, library staff will be answering questions via phone (410-535-0291) and email (getanswers@calvertlibrary.info) during our regular weekday business hours (Monday-Thursday, 9am-9pm, Friday noon to 5pm).  We will be providing curbside pick-up of holds from 9am to 7pm, Monday through Thursday, and Friday, 12-5pm; if you wish to take advantage of this, call to schedule a time and send someone who is healthy!  You are able to access wifi from library parking lots on your device.  Until further notice, Mobile Services will continue to do drop-offs of materials at childcare sites and to their homebound customers.

 

You are also encouraged to try the library’s eLearning opportunities and downloadable and streaming ebooks, audiobooks, music, magazines and movies. For more information, visit https://calvertlibrary.info. You can also follow the Library on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information.

 

For the health and safety of others, if you are exhibiting symptoms of a contagious disease, especially coronavirus (see Covid-19 symptoms here), please stay home and call your healthcare provider for medical advice.  More information about coronavirus is available on the library website.

 

Call 410-535-0291 or email getanswers@calvertlibrary.info with any reference questions you may have. 

 

Carrie Willson

Executive Director

###                                                                           

 

Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info