Fayetteville Free Library meeting community needs
Like all local libraries, Fayetteville Free Library’s doors closed in mid-March due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Since then, the library has busy working to meet community needs in both traditional and novel ways – with the help of technology.
Fayetteville Free Library staff members are working to provide access to downloadable books and materials, virtual programs, at-home lessons and activities, and email help. They are also working on services as unique and critical as 3D printing face shields for medical workers and providing check-in phone calls with senior community members.
Typically, Fayetteville Free Library provides a robust and busy schedule of diverse programs, ranging from storytimes and book clubs to technology classes and music performances. Now, the library is continuing to provide these same programs, virtually, through Zoom and Facebook. Their live, interactive virtual programs include Storytimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., a nature program for school-aged kids on Tuesdays at 1 p.m., Teen Art Club on Fridays at 2p.m., a monthly “Meet-the-Author” book club (where participants can videochat directly with the book’s author), and a group listening call for adults on Monday nights, all via Zoom. The library is also hosting events on Facebook Live, including a music and movement program for kids on Fridays at 10 AM, and two live concerts: award-winning local student performers Kaelem and Aiden Michel on piano and clarinet on Saturday, April 25 at 2 p.m., and husband-wife duo Keenan and Lily LeBlanc on Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m.
Due to increased demand, Fayetteville Free Library has added a huge selection of downloadable eBooks and audiobooks to Libby, an app that allows patrons to download materials for free with their library card.
The library has also increased access to downloadable materials through a second app called Hoopla, which allows cardholders to download and stream not only eBooks and audiobooks, but also movies, music, and TV shows.
With the help of the Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) System, the library has also expanded its selection of online learning resources. Now, in addition to at-home access to premium resources like Mango Languages for language learning and Lynda.com for online technology and business courses, patrons can also Ancestry.com from home with their library card.
No library card? No problem. Community members can now sign up for a virtual library card through OCPL’s website and access all of the digital resources mentioned without ever needing to leave the house.
No wifi? Local libraries are also providing a solution for those without at-home access. Community members are encouraged to park in local libraries’ lots and use their free wifi services. A patron was found recently in the FFL parking lot using the wifi to fill out the Census, for instance.
The library is also offering email reference services Monday-Friday from 9 to 5 p.m. Whether patrons need help with their account, accessing digital books, learning to use Zoom, finding activity ideas for kids, or accessing research articles for a student’s homework assignment, a librarian is available to help answer any question.
Finally, the library is seeking to meet critical community needs, such as producing face masks for medical workers, and calling seniors who may need social connection during this time. When the library shut its doors in the face of COVID-19, Mike Cimino, the library’s STEAM Educator, saw an opportunity to help in a critical way. Having heard about local companies (such as CADimensions and Budman Industries) that were 3D printing face shields for medical workers, Cimino took home several 3D printers from the library’s makerspace, and has since printed parts for over 200 masks that have been distributed to local and regional medical facilities. Library staff and volunteers are also working to sew facemasks with donated fabric.
More information on how to access the library’s live digital programs can be found at fflib.org/events, and/or facebook.com/fayfreelibrary
The library is also creating and sharing additional video content daily, such as STEM activity ideas, technology tutorials, local history information, book reviews, and more, on their Facebook page and YouTube channel.
For more information on the library’s programs and services offered during this time, please visit fflib.org.
