If you would have told me three weeks ago, that I would elect to close the library due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), I would have said, “There’s no way! People can’t get by without their public library!” Oh, how much I’ve learned and adjusted in the last weeks.
All of us have had different reactions to having to slow down or stop our everyday lives. It’s impacted our physical, mental, social, intellectual, and emotional health. We’ve seen things come to pass that we never thought possible in our own neighborhood, grocery store, and public library. I’m focusing on breathing deep, stretching regularly throughout the day, offering to help others from a safe distance, rekindling a few pen pals I’ve neglected over the years, and, of course, reading.
I look forward to the day when we can welcome everyone back to the library to learn, connect, and explore in person instead of from afar. While we are apart, please enjoy this special edition of our newsletter focusing on library services you can use from home.
We miss you.
Rachel Collins
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These are unprecedented times. Our
mission
to help you learn, connect and explore endures. The staff of Shorewood Public Library is thinking about how we can bring you the library services you love in new ways that meet the demands of today.
What do you miss about the library? What do you need from us?
Help us brainstorm how to serve you in your time of need.
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Kids can struggle mightily with changes to their daily routines, and boy, have things been changing!
Ms. Heide has put together a list of useful resources to help parents and caregivers: from talking about COVID-19 with children, to coping with the stress of constant news, to engaging in learning while school is closed. Read Heide's blog post
here.
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GET HELP WITH YOUR LIBRARY CARD & PIN
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To use the library's digital resources, there are two things you must have: an active
library account and a
PIN for that account.
Although we are closed, you can easily set up a (temporary) library account, get access to your existing card number, and reset your PIN. Here's how:
Get a new library account
MCFLS has enhanced the process for getting a temporary library account that gives you
complete access to online library resources. Go to
CountyCat to sign up and you'll be checking out movies and books in no time!
Get your card number or PIN
If you already have an account, call Milwaukee Public Library Ready Reference at
414 286-3000 or the MCFLS helpdesk at
414 286-3520 to obtain your library card number and get help resetting your PIN.
For more information on getting access to your library card, go to our
website
.
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DIGITAL LIBRARY RESOURCES
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We know not everyone can or wants to use e-books and other online resources. For those that do, here are our recommendations for ways to keep yourself occupied while you're stuck at home. All of these tools can be accessed from anywhere.
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Head to
Wisconsin's Digital Library to find an abundance of always-available no-wait e-books and audiobooks, plus curated lists of feel-good and funny reads to get you through tough times.
We're responding to an increased demand for online resources.
Wisconsin's Digital Library has
grown since public libraries across the state began closing two weeks ago. The state of Wisconsin just awarded a $250,000 (about 20% of the annual budget for the digital library) grant to fund even more digital content for Wisconsin's library users.
The Digital Library is easiest to use with the
Libby app on a tablet or phone. Download the app, enter your library card number and PIN, and get borrowing! For more detailed instructions, go to our
webpage
.
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Looking for entertainment while you’re stuck at home? Check out our digital offerings on
hoopla
!
To get started, simply add the hoopla app to your device, enter your library card number, e-mail address, and PIN.
Hoopla offers streaming movies, books, audiobooks, comic books, and music, all without waiting lists! You can view items in your account on your smart phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV. Monthly checkout limits have been extended to
eight titles per month per card through April 30th, a
nd hoopla just added a
Bonus Borrows collection
with items that do not count against your monthly limit
.
Log on today!
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Ancestry Library Edition is usually available only from inside the library. That is not useful when we aren't open!
As of Saturday, March 28, Proquest, the company behind Ancestry Library Edition, has temporarily made this tool available from anywhere. Learning about your ancestors is a fun way to keep your whole family engaged!
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Whether you're missing your usual learning opportunities, or just craving something different to do with your brain,
Gale Courses has you covered.
Want to master digital photography? Prepare for the GRE? Finally learn how to use your computer? Sharpen your skills in teaching your child to read?
Instructor-led online classes for adults and teens in these subjects and more start every month, and run for six weeks. The next start date is April 15th. Courses can be done at your own pace, too.
Give it a try!
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Learning a new language is a great way to engage with the outside world while you stay safe at home.
The library offers two robust language learning tools at no cost to you:
Mango Languages
and
Transparent Languages
.
Online language learning combines audio, visual, and pronunciation assistance to offer a complete experience that can get you further than learning from a book or from a CD alone. Check out our language learning resources
here
.
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INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST
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With so many sources for information, it can be hard to sort out fact from fiction and to determine who to trust.
It is more vital than ever to be certain that you are accessing and sharing the most factual and authoritative information you can.
The state of Wisconsin has created a one-stop resource for information on COVID-19. With links to relevant state agencies and updated news releases, you can easily stay on top of the facts.
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SHOREWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
3920 North Murray Avenue
Shorewood, WI 53211
414 847-2670
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