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

 

 

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

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Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

410-535-0291

410-535-3022 (fax)

CalvertLibrary.info