Rachel Kohl Library offers access to library cards and hundreds of books, magazines and newspapers
CONCORD » The Rachel Kohl Community Library is offering library cards to local residents, even though the libraries are temporarily closed to lessen exposure to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. To obtain a library card, email support@delcolibraries.org with name, address, phone number and birth date. The person will then receive an email with a library card number and can access library services.
The Rachel Kohl Library offers e-books and audio books for any computer, tablet or phone, as well as the ability to download hundreds of magazines. People can also access full text versions of the Delaware County Daily & Sunday Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the New York Times. For the younger set, children of all ages can read and listen to interactive books. Those with reference questions, can e-mail rkreference@ delcolibraries.org.
For all the latest updates and other information, visit kohllibrary.org or follow @kohllibrary/.
Haverford Library offers virtual programs and services during COVID-19 outbreak
HAVERFORD » With Gov. Tom Wolf and the Office of Commonwealth Libraries directing all Pennsylvania Libraries to remain closed through April 5, The Haverford Township Free Library has been prompted to develop virtual programs and services for their community.
Beginning this week, the library offered programs on its Facebook page. For children, the library began to do Facebook live editions of storytime almost right away after it closed. Now the Youth Services staff is offering six different storytimes throughout the week, some being live events, but all can be accessed as videos at any time.
The library also has been offering adult virtual programs on Facebook. Beginning this week, the Reference Department will offer the program Wine and Words every Wednesday at 5 p.m. This happy hour adult storytime features reference staff sharing short stories and poems.
A longtime in-person program went virtual this past week as the library’s Tea and Stitch became a Facebook live event. Tea and Stitch, which began over a decade ago, is where crafty people meet up to do needlework and socialize. A library staff person focuses on a craft such as knitting, talking about the tools needed, and demonstrates some of the starter stitches that can be learned. This program will meet every Friday at 10:30 am.
The library is also videoing short segments to assist patrons with how to utilize its digital collections, use other technologies, and get book recommendations. Some of these video segments include Read with Reference, Games with Gio and Tech Time with Katherine. Visit the library’s Facebook page to see the latest videos.
Library Director Sukrit Goswami said of the shift to virtual, “Our mission is to be a community hub, and we believe strongly that that includes both our in person and the online work.”
The library also sees the closure as an opportune time to enable staff in its circulation and tech services departments to gain valuable professional development. This includes getting to know all of the library’s 40+ databases and attending webinars to sharpen their skills, which will be beneficial to the community and the library.
Library reference librarians are available to the community if they have any questions, scholarly or not, or about COVID-19 by calling 610-446-3082. Library telephone hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The library is located at 1601 Darby Road, Havertown. For more information, about any virtual programs and services, go to www.haverfordlibrary.org, or the Library’s Facebook page at www.facebook. com or contact Reference Manager Amy Moskovitz at moskovitz@haverfordlibrary.org.
Aston Library renews all outstanding materials, hosts call-in session
ASTON » Debbie McClure, the program director at Aston Public Library, 3270 Concord Road, Aston, has announced that all checkedout materials have been automatically renewed until May 22. For more information, call 610-4945877.
The Aston Library will host a call-in session, hosted by librarians Debbie McClure and Stephen Sarazin, 12 noon Wednesday, April 1, about all that is going on. People can either join online at https://meet.google.com/vrwgdko-xtr/ or join by phone by calling 1-561-408-9266 and using the
PIN: 260062187. If preferred, people can e-mail their phone number to hello@astonlibrary.org and the librarians will call them.
If there are a lot of people on the call, the callers may get muted. A message will also tell people when they are muted, but they can unmute by using *6 (STAR-6).
Media UP Library announces ‘Love From The Library’ virtual programs
MEDIA » The Media Upper Providence Library is physically closed temporarily, but it is arranging some of its in-person programs to translate into online experiences.
The library is asking children and their families to participate in “Love from the Library,” and send cards to local senior citizens. The library has posted this request: “While we’re all cooped up at home, some of our local senior citizens could use an extra pick-me-up. Want to help? Surrey Services for Seniors of Media is asking children to make a card, write a poem, color a picture, or make whatever excites them and send it to Surrey.”
Surrey will distribute the items with their home meal delivery or mail them to a senior citizen’s house. For safety precautions, be sure to use tape or a wet sponge to seal the envelope. Cards can be mailed to Surrey Services for Seniors, 302 S. Jackson St., Media, PA 19063. Before sending the card or artwork, the library requests to take a photo of it until April 3 and post to their Facebook page for all to enjoy: https://www. facebook.com/MediaUPLibrary/ posts/10158697466520769.
The library is also holding these programs on Facebook Live: Baby Storytime on Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m., with stories, music, movement, and familiar puppets from the library. The presentation is best for babies, 0-24 months; Bedtime Stories at 7 p.m. Tuesdays; Preschool Explorers on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., with stories and activities for ages 3-5. Links are provided for any videos and crafts; and Family Storytime on Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m., with stories, music, movement, and puppets, appropriate for children ages 0-5.
The children’s librarian will also host Easter Eggerspace Saturday, April 4 at 11 a.m. Children can work along with Miss Vicki to make stuff out of plastic Easter eggs. She’ll read an Easter story and then make shakers, decorate them, and figure out games for them.
For the well-being of the community the library is closed to the public. However, librarians are information specialists and they are prepared to provide that service online. People can browse and download audio and E-books and browse all the online resources that Delaware County Libraries provide. Those with reference questions, or who need help accessing these library services, or anyone who needs contact information for food, shelter, and where to get help during this unprecedented shutdown, can: email medirector@delcolibraries.org and the library staff will try their best to assist the caller.