It has been nearly three months since the Jackson County Public Library closed its doors to the public.
At the end of the day March 13, the library closed the Seymour, Crothersville and Medora branches as a precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That Friday was kind of crazy with checkouts,” said Christina Hime, circulation manager for the library. “But everything happened so fast how quickly it was decided we were closing and then shut down.”
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Even though the buildings remain closed to the public, the library catalog may be accessed at evergreen.lib.in.us/eg/opac/home.
Library books and other items borrowed before the branches closed March 13 are due July 1. While the library buildings are closed, virtual services have been offered.
“This was really kind of new posting everything online, doing all virtual programs and we started a wide range of programs,” Hime said. “We’ve had crafts, storytimes, cooking demonstrations and book reviews, and of course, everything is listed on our Facebook page.”
The link to those online programs is youtube.com/user/MyJCLibrary.
Curbside service takes off
Last month, the library began phasing back in with no-contact curbside pickup service. Seymour and Crothersville started May 12, and Medora began two days later.
All library book drops are now open, so customers can drop off their materials any time; however, equipment such as hotspots, Kindle Fire devices, Launchpads and Wonderbooks must be returned by appointment.
“Equipment is sensitive material, and it’s easier to make an appointment to drop them off so they don’t get damaged in the book drop,” Hime said. “They are more expensive and less protected, so it’s in the customer’s best interest.”
Upon return, all materials are quarantined for 72 hours per federal guidelines. All staff members are following strict sanitation and handwashing procedures and wearing masks while in the library facilities.
Hime said as far as the curbside service goes, they have heard very positive feedback about how easy the process is. It’s completely contactless, and customers have been getting new books and materials through the service.
“May 12 through May 31, we served 318 people at Seymour,” Hime said. “Last Monday, we had 25 people, and then for the month of May, Medora had 14 people and Crothersville had 35.”
Library patrons can set up appointments by phone with library staff to pick up items during scheduled pickup hours available in 10-minute increments during certain days and times.
Basil Miller of Seymour recently picked up two bags of books from the library. He said he and his wife, Michele, have used the library’s curbside service more than a dozen times.
“She likes the books, and I’ve been using Libby online to read eBooks and listen to eAudiobooks,” Miller said. “The library has a good service here, and it really helps during this time.”
Miller said before the pandemic, he typically read about five books a year, and so far this year, he has read about 52 books online.
With Libby, readers can browse the library’s collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks or search for a specific title, author or series.
Details on how to use the library’s curbside pickup service can be found at myjclibrary.org/curbside.
“We have two different shifts for employees right now, and a group of us will work together in each department for a 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift. Then a set group will work the evening shift 2 to 6 p.m.,” Hime said. “This helps with less cross-contamination. Also, on the off chance someone gets sick, we are not all wiped out at the same time and have to shut down.”
Hime said they also are now doing craft kit pickups at all locations by calling and making an appointment. When making appointments, library customers can choose adult/teen crafts or crafts for children.
If interested, contact one of the branches to pick up a craft project kit, take it home and keep it while supplies last.
A photo of the finished product can then be shared at facebook.com/MyJCLibrary or @myjclibrary on Instagram or emailed to [email protected].
Read Jackson County has placed a Little Free Library in front of all three branches. Visitors are welcome to take a book any time; however, donations to the Little Free Library and for the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library are not being accepted at this time.
Reopening date unknown
Hime said they still do not have a set date for when the libraries will open their buildings to the public.
“We are here to help you, our valued customers, in any way that we can,” she said. “So please feel free to reach out, whether by calling, emailing or interacting on Facebook and messenger.”
Watch for virtual programs on YouTube and on the library’s Facebook page.
Library cardholders can use OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla or Kanopy for eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, movies, music and television shows. Ancestry.com is currently available remotely through the end of June. Links for all online services are at myjclibrary.org.
The Discovery Bus stopped running in March, too, but Outreach Services Assistant Julie Rumph said they are currently running a door drop for customers who are on their past schedule from winter and spring.
“Most of our day cares are receiving baskets of books for their storytimes, and over half of home deliveries are still receiving materials,” Rumph said. “However, we still are not able to visit our customers in the nursing facilities. Jillian (Vaughn) and I miss seeing them very much.”
Vaughn also is an outreach services assistant for the library.
Rumph said she has been driving the Discovery Bus for more than five years, and she misses everyone dearly, but per Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s request, they are opening in stages to keep staff and the community safe.
“We here are excited to get back on the road with the Discovery Bus,” Rumph said. “Hopefully in the months to come, scientists can find a vaccine, and we can get back to serving our schools, day cares and nursing facilities in our community.”
Summer learning coming up
On July 5, summer learning will start, said Lola Snyder, the library’s head of youth services.
One of the programs will be Tell Your Story: Storyboards, a virtual program for teens in grades 6 through 12.
“It is a creative outlet for teens to showcase their visual and technical skills and talents and for beginners to learn how to storyboard,” Snyder said. “Each week, they will be provided with a prompt to start the process. They can use writing, imagery or both to convey their own personal or fictional stories.”
Sndyer said this is only one of many programs that will be available through the library this summer, both virtual and live using Zoom. The full summer calendar can be viewed at myjclibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar.
Registration starts June 22 at myjclibrary.readsquared.com. The program will run through July 31. Snyder said if online participation isn’t possible, paper records can be picked up by calling the library and making an appointment.
During the four-week program, readers can enter books or minutes to earn points. Once certain goals are reached, prizes are earned. Additionally, if using ReadSquared, participants can earn badges, complete missions and unlock games and stories.
“Materials can be accessed through Overdrive, Hoopla and by curbside pickup from the library,” Snyder said. “Things may look different, but we still offer the quality, educational and fun programs people have come to expect.”
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Set up appointments by phone with Jackson County Public Library staff to pick up items during scheduled pickup hours:
Seymour: 812-405-1832
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2:30 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
Crothersville: 812-793-2927
2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Medora: 812-966-2278
2 to 6 p.m. Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Details on how to use the library’s curbside pickup service can be found at myjclibrary.org/curbside.
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