April 13, 2020
Dear Patrons,

Spring break is this week for Watauga County Schools; they like so many agencies in the community have ensured that food is distributed to families at seven locations in the county. Our second slider on the library website lists the many food distribution sites in the county.

Sanity Wearing a Little Thin?

What can families do this week for a little down time considering the necessary restrictions?
I found this website: https://charlotte.kidsoutandabout.com/ out of the Charlotte area that has an extensive listing of " 250+ Ways to Keep Your Family Sane During the Covid-19 Crises". Video interviews are included with WARM 101.3's Tony Infantino seeking advice from Debra Ross, a long time homeschooling mom. There are also numerous virtual events listed here.
Parks and Hiking

If you are thinking about heading to a park, check the websites first or call for information. Make sure everyone has used the bathroom before setting out, since facilities, picnic areas, and playgrounds are likely to be closed. See the links below for starters...but first




I hope this information proves helpful as we all try to keep our spirits up!

Monica Caruso,
County Librarian
Face Masks
If you haven't yet, it's time to have that face mask handy for trips out in public per the Centers for Disease Control. Be sure to wash it after each use.

Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, shares a way to create your own face covering in a few easy steps.:

Read this NYT article titled A User's Guide to Face Masks.

The Center for Disease Control has a step by step guide to making a face mask in three different ways:



Spotlight on Resources


For small businesses:

" Grow with Google" is a new initiative of Google L.L.C. to help small businesses succeed. The library has begun partnering with them recently. As a Grow with Google Partner, we would like to invite you to tune in to a special livestream for small businesses, hosted by America’s Small Business Development Centers and Grow with Google: Keeping the Lights On.

G row with Google and ASBDC will be hosting this live, virtual event on April 14, 2020 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET.

RSVP to tune in today: g.co/grow/keepingthelightson .

Recording is available.

G row with Google has also launched a new series of short videos to support small businesses during this time of uncertainty. They will show learners how to use Google tools to connect with customers and work from anywhere, step-by-step, in 10 minutes or less. You can view or share these videos using g.co/grow/smallsolves

For families with children:

"We Count" is provided by Simply Put Media . Simply Put is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to bring books and engaged learning experiences to neglected audiences.
Thanks to the Local Federal Government Credit Union, we purchased 100 copies of this book and due to the library closing, we brought these to the Hunger and Health Coalition so they could be distributed with food boxes. We are providing links to this beautiful children's picture book to promote the importance of the Census. It not only depicts how families are counted but opens our eyes to the differences in the makeup of families.

For children and families, see the "We Count" title below in English and Spanish.



Watauga County Public Library
140 Queen Street
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-8784