Calvert Library Foundation Hosts Online Auction (press release)

 

Calvert Library Foundation Hosts Online Auction

 

September 23, 2020

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

 

 

Announcing the Calvert Library Foundation Charity Auction to benefit Calvert Library on October 25, 2020.  This auction is the first event in the Foundation’s capital campaign to raise funds to support the construction of a new Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch in North Beach. 

 

The auction will be hosted by Chesapeake Auction House in St Leonard, MD on their website https://www.chesapeakeauctionhouse.com.

 

The items to be auctioned will be available for online preview from October 11-17.  Bids can be placed from October 18-25.  To participate in the bidding, one must register on the Chesapeake Auction House website.  The auction will go live at 7pm on October 25.  Interested individuals can inspect any item October 11-23 by contacting Scott Deacon at 443-975-1001 or via email at skdeacon2@aol.com

 

The Foundation is accepting donations of items with a minimum value of $100, through October 9.  Suggested popular items to donate could include experiences like a fishing charter or a week stay at a vacation home; jewelry, art, antiques, recreational crafts, e.g. canoe, kayak, etc.  The goal is to have over 100 items to be auctioned. 

 

The Foundation is looking forward to making this event a huge success and welcomes the community’s support of Calvert Library. The beauty of fundraising in a COVID-19 environment is that you can attend this auction from the comfort of your own home – no expensive dress-up clothes to buy or (we’ll be honest) less than fabulous wine to consume. Just the comfort of your home and an opportunity to support the library. The library and its staff have done an outstanding job providing services in these difficult times.  They have proven that libraries are not only relevant but an essential part of our daily lives and culture.  Please take time to thank them and support this auction.

 

If you would like to make a donation to the Twin Beaches Capital Campaign, please contact Foundation President Scott Deacon at skdeacon2@aol.com or 443-975-1001 or Library Executive Director, Carrie Willson cwillson@calvertlibrary.info or 410-535-0291.

 

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Robyn Truslow

She/Her/Hers

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

 

Calvert Library Prince Frederick Announces Limited In-building Service

 

Calvert Library Prince Frederick Announces Limited in-Building Service Beginning August 31

August 21, 2020

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

 

Calvert Library Prince Frederick will be opening on Monday, August 31 for limited services. In-person library hours will be Monday-Thursday, noon to 5pm, Friday, 1-5pm and Saturday, 10am to 2pm. Curbside pickup appointments will continue with hours increasing to Monday-Thursday, 10am to 7pm; Friday, 1-5pm and Saturday, 10am to 2pm. Calvert Library’s Branches (Fairview, Twin Beaches and Southern) will be opening with the same hours on Tuesday, September 8.

 

The main library in Prince Frederick will open with a limit on the number of customers in the building at one time.  Per Governor Hogan’s order, customers over the age of five will be required to wear face masks covering their nose and mouth and to maintain a social distance of 6’ from others. Customers entering with children are asked to stay together and help their children maintain social distance. In order to maximize the number of customers who can take advantage of library services, customers will be asked to keep their visit to an hour or less.

 

According to Executive Director, Carrie Willson, “We’ve been serving customers from home and online since the pandemic closed our buildings. We have even used the outside of our buildings to post community resources and of course, offer wifi in our parking lots. August 31 will be our trial run for in-building service. We expect that our customers and staff will work safely and respectfully together and follow safety guidelines.  If that goes smoothly, we will expand limited openings to the branches on Tuesday, September 8.” 

 

Some libraries in the region have been open longer.  St. Mary’s County Library opened August 3 and so far, have not had to step back service.  Anne Arundel County Library opened some of their locations in early July but announced last week that because of customer incidents and the resulting health concerns, they had to reduce service to the curbside model Calvert Library has been offering since June.  Anne Arundel expects to move to an appointment-only model for computer use, browsing and librarian assistance beginning September 8.

 

When asked whether she’s concerned that customers will try to come to the library without appropriate masks, Willson said, “The two main services we haven’t been able to offer in some form during this pandemic are gathering space and computer use. While it is still not appropriate to be gathering, I believe that the customers who are desperate to use our computers will be self-policing so we don’t have to close our doors again.  At the same time, our staff stand ready to remind or educate customers about safe practices.  For those that cannot comply, we will continue to serve them outside the building.” 

What about computer access?  Willson responded, “We have received a grant to purchase some Chromebooks that we plan to circulate with data. Of course, laptops are in great demand in the marketplace so we don’t know when we’ll receive them. We will get them into circulation as quickly as possible once they arrive.”

 

Calvert Library does not plan to open their meeting rooms for the foreseeable future as those spaces are currently being used for quarantining returned materials and storing furniture not conducive to healthy use of the library.  Returned library materials are quarantined for up to a week prior to being checked in based on a recently released study concerning the length of time the virus might survive on library material surfaces.

 

Ms. Willson reiterated her request, “Please stay home if you are vulnerable or ill. Our staff can help you over the phone. Calvert Library has always prided itself on being the community’s ‘third place,’” referencing a frequented space that is not work or home, “for connecting to one another and the world.”  Willson continued, “At this time, for our community’s safety, our priority is to provide quick access to library materials, information and training that can’t be accessed via phone, email or video chat.”

 

For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

 

Photo: Plexiglass has been installed on library service desks to improve the safety of customer-staff interactions. Library Assistant Joan Fletcher pulls the Curbside appointments report for the next day at Calvert Library Prince Frederick.

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Related Links

 

 

Robyn Truslow

She/Her/Hers

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

 

 

Calvert Library Expands Curbside Pickup Options (press release)

 

Calvert Library Expands Curbside Pickup Options

August 10, 2020

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

 

Calvert Library continues to provide curbside pickup of library materials and has recently expanded that service to include a mini-browse experience called Grab Bags.  Customers can make an appointment at bit.ly/calvertcurbside to pick up a grab bag of items that they can browse and decide what to keep and what to drop back in the book return.  They can make a general request for picture books, kids chapter books, adult fiction, kids DVDs or similar and say how many items they would like to look at.  This solution to increase access to library materials came from customer requests made over the phone and via the library’s social media channels to “give me a pile of books.”

 

What if you want a more tailored choice?  Colleen Cano, Adult Resources Coordinator for Calvert Library said, “For customers who like specific reading recommendations from their librarians, we have also launched a PS from Calvert Library service. PS stands for Personalized Suggestions.  You can fill out the form online at bit.ly/psfromcalvert with your reading preferences and a librarian will send you suggestions tailored to your needs that you can then place on hold.  If you want more help, just give us a call.”  Library phones are being answered from 9am to 7pm on Monday-Thursday, 1-5pm on Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturday.

 

Calvert Library is still waiting for necessary supplies to be able to provide in-building customer service safely.  Once those arrive, Executive Director Carrie Willson expects to announce a date for a limited public opening.  The library has established staff and customer guidelines for safety in accordance with federal, state and local recommendations and regulations. 

 

All four library buildings (Prince Frederick, Southern in Solomons, Fairview in Owings and Twin Beaches in Chesapeake Beach) have been rearranged to support social distancing. Some computers have been taken offline, seating and toys have been removed and waiting points have been marked for customers to socially distance.

The main library in Prince Frederick will open first with a limit on the number of customers in the building at one time.  Per Governor Hogan’s order, customers over the age of five will be required to wear face masks covering their nose and mouth and to maintain a social distance of 6’ from others. Customers entering with children are asked to stay together and help their children maintain social distance. In order to maximize the number of customers who can take advantage of library services, customers will be asked to keep their visit to an hour or less. In-person library hours will be Monday-Thursday, noon to 5pm, Friday, 1-5pm and Saturday, 10am to 2pm. Curbside pickup will continue and appointments will be available 10am to 7pm on Monday-Thursday, Friday 1-5pm and Saturday, 10am to 2pm.

 

Calvert Library does not plan to open their meeting rooms for the foreseeable future as those spaces are currently being used for quarantining returned materials and storing furniture not conducive to healthy use of the library.  Returned library materials are quarantined for 96 hours prior to being checked in based on a recently released study concerning the length of time the virus might survive on library material surfaces.

 

When asked if she feels like customers will be safe in the library, Willson replied, “These are challenging times and any sort of human interaction can pose a risk. We take our staff and customer’s safety very seriously and are expecting everyone to cooperate fully with our standards so that we can stay open.”

 

Hand sanitizing stations will be available at each entrance and customers are asked to use them.  Staff are wiping down high-touch surfaces on a defined schedule and as needed.  Ms. Willson requests, “Please stay home if you are vulnerable or ill. Our staff can help you over the phone. Calvert Library has always prided itself on being the community’s ‘third place,’” referencing a frequented space that is not work or home, “for connecting to one another and the world.”  Willson continued, “At this time, for our community’s safety, our priority is to provide quick access to library materials, information and training that can’t be accessed via phone, email or video chat.”

 

For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

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Related Links

 

 

 

Robyn Truslow

She/Her/Hers

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

 

Calvert Library Gets Books to Customers via Curbside Service (Press release)

 

Calvert Library Gets Books to Customers via Curbside Service

June 29, 2020

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

Calvert Library reopened book drops on June 10 and restarted Curbside service on Monday, June 22.  One of the Library’s Facebook posts about the service received such comments as, “Happy you will be providing books again.  Digital is ok, but holding a book…” and “One of the things I missed most in the last few months!” and “I picked mine up at Twin Beaches this morning!  So easy! <3”.

Executive Director Carrie Willson said, “We are so glad to get physical books into customers’ hands again. And movies and audiobooks and games! Our staff has worked hard to get a process in place to do so safely as well as continuing to provide digital materials, phone and email service and quality virtual programming. I’m so proud of their creativity and commitment to meeting the information, connection and entertainment needs of the community.” 

The process described on the library website, seems relatively easy and familiar to those who have ordered from grocery stores and restaurants…

1.     request the books you want either using the online library catalog or calling the library,

2.     get the notification that your items are available for you at the location you requested,

3.     schedule an appointment on the library website or by calling the library,

4.     show up at the right time and either grab your labeled bag of books off the table if you chose Table Pickup or a librarian will put the bag in your trunk if you chose Trunk Delivery.

Are the items safe? Willson says, “We’re quarantining returned materials for 3 days per recommendations based on the most current research. Our staff are following a stringent protocol which includes a health check before entering the building, wearing masks, washing hands frequently and disinfecting common and high-touch surfaces regularly.  We are limiting the number of staff in the building as well. I feel confident but of course, customers are welcome to quarantine their items for another 3 days if they like. The checkout period for most items is 3 weeks and we don’t charge late fees.”

Are people using the service?  Over 230 appointments were made for the first day. Each of those appointments could be for multiple library accounts in one household but according to Willson, “We’re checking out, at best, half of what we would if people were able to come in to browse.  Don’t be shy! Give us a call and we’ll browse for you.”  Calvert librarians are always offering reading recommendations, usually based on an interview of the person requesting advice and right now, most of that is happening on the phone, via email, on social media and even using a new “PS from Calvert Library-Personalized Suggestions” service where a customer can fill out a form on the library website and get recommendations emailed to them. 

When asked when customers will be allowed back in the building, Willson responded, “We don’t have a date yet. We are working on adapting the interior spaces and furniture to allow for social distancing and safe use.  We’re also still waiting on some equipment and supplies to improve customer and staff safety. While our staff have been incredibly responsive and innovative in serving customers online, they are happy to be providing materials with curbside service and will be happier still when we can welcome customers back inside.”

For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.

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Related Links

Link to details

 

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 Partners to Present Author Ibram X. Kendi

While COVID has made many things challenging, it has made partnering for big events easier.  Please see attached (and pasted below) press release for exciting news on a partnership with Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Maryland State Library and many others to host author of “How to Be an Antiracist,” Ibram X. Kendi, July 20, online for our communities.

 

Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

 

 

June 24, 2020                                                                                        Contact: Nicholas A. Brown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  nicholas.brown@pgcmls.info

 

Ibram X. Kendi Joins Prince George’s County and Maryland Partners

For Virtual Discussion of “How to Be an Antiracist”

 

Largo, Maryland – 2019 Guggenheim Fellow and New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi will discuss his renowned book “How to Be an Antiracist” on Monday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m. with Dr. Charlene M. Dukes, president of Prince George’s Community College. Dr. Dukes is the first African-American woman to serve as president of the College and has 30 years of progressive leadership experience and administrative responsibility in higher education. The conversation will be streamed live online on Crowdcast, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter/Periscope, and will air on PGCC TV on a later date. Register for this free virtual conversation with Dr. Kendi by visiting KendiPGC.eventbrite.com.

 

Praised as “The most courageous book to date on the problem of race in the Western mind” (New York Times), Kendi’s groundbreaking work has provided a major new counterpoint in the national conversation about race in America and resonates in this, our collective moment of reckoning.

 

Ibram X. Kendi is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author, a professor of history, and the founding director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. He is a columnist at The Atlantic and a correspondent with CBS News. He is the author of five books

including “Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America,” which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction; “How to Be an Antiracist”; “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You,” co-authored with Prince George’s County native Jason Reynolds; and “Antiracist Baby,” illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky.

 

This special event is presented by a consortium of organizations based in Prince George’s County and Maryland, including Joe’s Movement Emporium, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System and PGCMLS Foundation, Prince George’s County Community College’s Center for Performing Arts, Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission, and Maryland State Library, with generous support from Wells Fargo.

 

In the lead-up to Kendi’s virtual appearance, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System and Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission will discuss “How To Be an Antiracist” and its call to action on Tuesday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m. as part of their “The Elephant We Don’t See: A Diversity Dialogue” Series. The author will not be present for this discussion. Register for the June 30 event here.

 

Ibram X. Kendi’s appearance is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Maryland State Library. The following Maryland public libraries are co-presenters of this virtual event: Allegany County Library System, Anne Arundel County Public Library, Calvert Library, Caroline County Public Library, Carroll County Public Library, Charles County Public Library, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Howard County Library System, and Kent County Public Library.

 

Copies of the “How to Be an Antiracist” ebook and audiobook are available through Calvert Library and other partner libraries via the Maryland Digital eLibrary Consortium and RBDigital.  “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi may be purchased through Loyalty Books.

 

 

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Calvert Library ReOpening Book Returns (press release)

 

Calvert Library ReOpening Book Returns

June 9, 2020

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

Greetings from Calvert Library,

With everything else going on in the world, I’m happy to report that we have good news about your library. We will be opening book returns on June 10 and beginning curbside pick-up on June 22.

The safety of our staff and customers continues to be our highest priority and we have taken some extra time to plan and put software into place to make the process easy-to-use.

·       Materials that are returned will be quarantined for 3 days so they will stay on your account until that time has elapsed. 

·       Materials that you check out will be ready-to-use/read but you are welcome to do an additional 3-day quarantine when you take them home.

·       You will be able to pick up bagged materials that you have placed on hold in the library catalog in library vestibules or via trunk delivery.

·       We will be releasing a series of Can Do Digital Videos

o   How to Check Your Account so you know what library materials to look for under your sofa and give you time to remember who you lent things to during our closure.  Nothing is technically due until August 1, so you have plenty of time to find everything you have checked out and we are still fine-free. 

o   How to Place Holds to get the items you are looking for

o   How to Search for Your Next Read including a brand new online Personalized Suggestions form

o   How to Make a Curbside Appointment using our new software

·       Other safety precautions:

o   Staff and customers (over the age of 2) are required to wear face coverings over nose and mouth

o   Staff will be washing hands thoroughly and frequently.

o   Staff and customers will be maintaining proper distance during any in-person interactions.

o   For now, interactions not involving physical library materials should be via phone, email or online.

·       While our buildings are closed, staff are answering phones and email from home.

We won't be offering in-person group classes/events this summer but we will continue to offer high quality classes/events online. Please put June 20 on your calendar for our online kickoff for #calvertREADS.  Beginning at noon on the 20th, we’ll have how-to videos, pottery and cooking demonstrations, performances and more!

We don't know when it will be recommended that we invite the public back in to the buildings but we're busy making adjustments inside each space to be ready to invite users back in to browse, use computers and see our wonderful librarians face to face (or at least covered face to covered face)! 

We miss seeing you and we look forward to returning to more normal service in the library locations in the future. In the meantime, we’re glad that we’ll start to be able to get books and movies and other real-life library materials into your hands starting June 22!

Carrie Willson

Executive Director

 

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Related Links

Link to details

 

 

Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info

 

Wed, May 20: MD Legal Issues During COVID: Housing, Unemployment, Custody

Good morning friends,

 

I hope you’re staying well. These are challenging times for so many and the library has teamed up with MD Legal Aid to offer a webinar on legal issues around housing, unemployment and custody.  Some things can’t wait to “get back to normal.”  The event, which will include time for a Q&A, will be held on the Zoom webinar platform and will also be streamed to Calvert Library’s YouTube channel (no real access to Q&A there though).  And then it will be available afterwards as well so even if it’s late notice (sorry about that!), the resource will be available.

 

And those who need follow-up assistance can go through the intake process with MD Legal Aid by emailing virtualcommunitylawyer@mdlab.org or calling 443-451-2805.  Potential clients need to include name and legal issue in the email and the message should be answered within 48 hours.

The online event for May 27 will be scheduled one-on-ones with the lawyer on a Zoom meeting. 

 

Please share this late information with those who might need it.

 

Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info