GPL's February/March Newsletter |
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At the beginning of each year, all public libraries in New York are required to file a report that details library activities and expenditures. The report provides a glimpse at the ways in which a library serves its community and how it allocates its resources. For the library board and library director, it functions as a benchmark against previous years and indicates the direction of future services. Assembling this report for 2020 is like nothing I have experienced in prior years.
COVID-19 shifted our service landscape like an earthquake. When, in the interest of public health and safety, we closed our doors on March 13, we had completed two of our busiest months ever for in-library activities. After that date, our service data tells quite a different story. Library visits, of course, were a fraction of what was normal. Library programs, relegated to online presentations, were a third of what they had been the previous year. However, thanks to the popularity of curbside pickup of materials and tremendous growth in the use of eBooks and streaming services from the library, total circulation of library items decreased only marginally.
When I look at the shift in how we are reading and watching, I realize that we may have reached a sea change in library service. As we have all become more comfortable with downloading and streaming during the past months, it seems possible that when normalcy returns, our habits for reading books and watching films will be significantly changed. The convenience of clicking on an app and immediately finding a book to read or a film to stream means fewer trips to the library to check out these same items.
On the other hand, the impact of the pandemic has clearly demonstrated how much we all miss the face-to-face social interaction that in normal times is an integral part of being in a community. Our library programs are, in quantity and diversity, among the best in Westchester. But what really sets them apart, in my opinion, is the opportunity they provide for sharing experiences and time together with neighbors and friends. While we share screens on Zoom programs, we can't gather and interact in the same way online as we do in person.
So, while our annual report may indicate a shift in how we deliver some library services post-COVID, with more use of online resources and the convenience of curbside pickup being maintained in some form, it is unlikely to change how the library functions as a community gathering place full of opportunities to learn, discover and share new things together. It is my hope that we will all soon be able to enjoy our library fully and see each other again in person.
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Building a Resilient Westchester |
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So far, the Library has delivered three virtual programs under our "Building a Resilient Westchester" series: When the Holidays Aren’t So Social, Strengthening Youth and Families, and Getting the Mental Health Support We Need in partnership with NY-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center, Family Ties of Westchester, and NAMI Westchester, respectively. Where possible, events are available with live captioning, recorded and made available for public viewing on our new Recorded Events page.
Upcoming events in March include:
We hope you will join us at one or more of these upcoming programs to increase your understanding about mental health and discover helpful tools and resources to build resilience for yourself, your family and our Westchester community during these trying times and beyond. For technology loans, please give us a call at 914-721-8225 and we would be happy to assist you.
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Mindfulness Techniques for Children & Teens |
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Children tend to live in the moment and be very attentive. However, often they are as busy, tired, easily distracted, and restless as adults. Mindfulness, the awareness of the present moment without judgment, can be beneficial to children and adults. It can calm and relax our minds and bodies, improving our ability to focus and sleep. Practicing mindfulness alleviates stress, worry, anger, and helps to build awareness of ourselves, others, and the world.
Drawing a Lazy 8
Breathe along with the strokes to practice slow, controlled, mindful breaths
Supplies:
Drawing surface - paper, card stock, paper bag, etc..
Drawing tool - pen, pencil, crayon, marker, etc.
Instructions:
Breathe in as you trace the first part of your number 8 up, pause at the top of your 8 and then exhale as you complete your number 8 with a downward stroke. Pause again before tracing over your number 8, repeating the cycle as many times as you like growing or shrinking your 8 as your breath indicates. Rotate your 8 on its side, now it's an infinity symbol! Continue to breathe, pause, and trace.
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Health Information, Don’t Just Google It, Research It!
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When you get a new diagnosis or the doctor orders a test, the first instinct is to learn about it on the internet. And Google is great; however, never forget that Google runs on advertising and for health information, unbiased information is best.
The Library has curated some reliable, easy to read and in-depth resources for researching the health information you need:
MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's website for patients, and their family members. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, the world’s largest medical library, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere with no fee. Medline Plus is available en Español and offers select health information in over 60 languages.
An X-Plain tutorial is a multimedia presentation that covers a specific health topic. Each slide displays simplified text alongside related illustrations and animations. The text is fully narrated so patients can listen and read at the same time. Over 1400 topics are covered. X-Plain is also available en Español.
The Merck Manual Consumer edition explains disorders, who is likely to get them, their symptoms, how they are diagnosed, how they might be prevented, how they can be treated, and the prognosis. Written in everyday language, the Merck Manual has been a standard medical resource for many decades. Professional and Veterinary editions are also available. The Merck Manual Consumer and Professional editions are available en Español
The Library’s health and wellness web page has even more reliable, easy to use and unbiased health information.
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Health & Wellness at Your Fingertips |
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Such a fun picture book. A great choice for elementary schoolers.
-Nicole, Youth Services
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A unique coming of age and historical fiction novel rolled into one. Anyone who loves New York City and is interested in the history of New York would enjoy it.
-Amanda, Adult Services
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A moving story of resilience and family with powerful insights into Vivian Conan's long and winding road to mental wellness and authentic connection. A compelling audiobook listen on Hoopla. Hear more from Vivian in our Blog.
-Janet, Adult Services
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This book is recommended for anyone who may be envious of others who they think have it all together. Where will you be in 5 years is one of the most difficult questions to answer and quite frankly no one should have to answer it. Life is about the journey not the destination.
-Christina, Assistant Director
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It's a fascinating story of the author, his family and, especially, his mother. In the mid-20th Century, she gave birth to and raised twelve African American kids in New York City, mostly alone, got them all through college and did not acknowledge that she was white and Jewish until the author was an adult. Perhaps, people who lived through the '50's and '60's in the Metro area would most appreciate this but it is a story everyone can enjoy and learn from.
-Frank, Circulation
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Patrick is happily married to Stephanie, who has just had newborn twin girls. Then Erica Voss comes into their lives and everything changes. She is Patrick's ex-lover who he was having affair with during the marriage to his late ex-wife Lindsay. Erica is determined to make Patrick's life hell, and will stop at nothing to do it. I couldn't put this
one down!
-Michelle, Adult Services
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MedlinePlus is the world’s largest medical library bringing you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language that you can understand. En Español plus other languages.
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Please continue to check the website for updates.
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This newsletter is made possible through the valuable contributions of the entire library staff. Editorial and layout contributions by Christa O’Sullivan and Janet Heneghan.
February/March 2021
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