Washington librarians finding ways to keep readers engaged

WASHINGTON - In July, the Washington Public Library halted all in-person program until the beginning of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the librarians have been offering a variety of virtual programs and services to keep in contact with the community

Director Bryna Walker said library directors across the state decided to cancel in-person learning and create restrictions for public access.

'Libraries are a mix of youths and adults in the same environment,” Walker said. '(Being open) would just bring up area numbers.”

Librarians quickly worked to offer virtual programing, Walker said.

'Zoom has been our friend this year,” she said.

Many of the programs are the same, but in a virtual version, she said. In March, the Sticks and Strings craft group started a Zoom meeting and has been doing the same activities from home. Many of the crafts can be found in trees around the square.

The Washington Writers' Workshop was able to continue virtually, Walker said. The University of Iowa students who present in the program are able to virtually present and answer questions.

Other yearly events and traditions such as a pumpkin contest, Holiday Gone Green and a New Year's Eve event have all been continued with changes for safety.

Walker said the children's librarians have been the most affected by the shutdown. While they still are able to read to children in the schools through Zoom, she said they miss having kids around.

'Take and Make Bags” has been a popular program during the pandemic. The bags have had various holiday and season-related themes. Anyone can pick up a bag and participate in the program, Walker said. This month the bags are themed around different holidays. She said it is a way to educate on cultural awareness.

A new form of programming the library has started to offer is technology support, Walker said. They have offered a few programs to learn how to operate Zoom, as well as published videos on the libraries' YouTube and Facebook page.

'We've done a lot of tutorials to help people at home on how to use different tools,” she said.

Outside of programing, the library has slowly offered more access to the building and services.

Walker said wireless printing, express browsing appointments and curbside pickup have all been options for community members. She said use of Bridge, the virtual library, has gone up 25 percent in the last six months.

While many of the programs will return to normal in-person session after the pandemic, Walker said other programs such as the take and make bags, and the curbside pickup may remain.

In the future, Walker said the virtual programming will continue through January and February.