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New Librarian, New Programs, Circulating Hotspots and Chromebooks
ZEBULON - The J. Joel Edwards Public Library predicts a more productive year ahead, resuming temporarily discontinued programs, adding new ones, and providing tech needs for the community.
The library is pleased to introduce the new Youth Services librarian, Miriam Thompson. With years of experience in education and children’s programming, Miriam hit the ground running this month and will be continuing the Preschool Story Time each Tuesday at 11:00, beginning January 4. This program is designed for children ages 3-5 and incorporates stories, music, activities, and crafts.
In addition, the Toddler Time program will return to the library each Thursday at 11:00. Children age 12-36 months will enjoy a program designed especially for them. As with all library programs, these regular story times are free and open to the public, no registration required.
Weekends are filling up with regular programs such as the popular adult DIY, Cooking with Kids, and new addition, a monthly dance class in preparation for the return of the annual Taste of Two Counties benefit dance, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Click here to read more about it!
Because the pandemic has altered the way in which libraries support the needs of their patrons, the library has also added to their collection some tech support materials available for checkout. According to library manager, Rosemary Bunn, “We now have 5 HP Chromebooks available for checkout by patrons age 18 and over. Although the initial circulation set-up allows for in-house use only, we hope to increase the check-out time to 2 weeks in the very near future.”
To further aid Pike County patrons in their continual search for reliable internet, the library has received five circulating hotspots. Provided through an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant, these Orbic Hotspots can be checked out for two weeks. Patrons may use their own devices or check out a Chromebook from the library to use with the hotspot. If this program proves helpful and popular, there is a possibility that it could be extended next year to include more hotspots.
[Note from the Editor: Pike County Times is using one of the Verizon Hotspots to upload this article. It has been easy to use, very fast compared to the DSL service that I have at my home at this time, and has up to 10 connections. I am going to use it as much as possible to get work done quickly over the next two weeks! Please tell the librarians that you read about it on Pike County Times!]
To learn more about these programs and others, follow the J. Joel Edwards Public Library on Facebook, “or better yet,” suggests Bunn, “visit the library during regular business hours, MWF 10-5, TTh 10-7, and Sat. 10-3.”