GPL's September/October Newsletter
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The Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically altered life for everyone, and it has certainly changed the way we provide library service. Over the past months we have transitioned from welcoming our community into the library building to discovering ways to be a useful and dynamic presence online. We launched new programs, streaming services, online librarian availability and also instituted contactless pickup at our front door.
Since our region of New York has stabilized the rate of infection at a minimal level, the library will begin our next phase of service which is to open our library on a limited basis. This means that on Tuesday, September 8, we will welcome the public back into our lobby where they can browse an expanded selection of materials, including new books, large print books, audio books, DVDs and selections of popular fiction and non-fiction for adults, teens and children. To enter the Library, patrons must schedule appointments online or by phone and visits will be limited to 30-minute periods. There will be no seating or tables available, and rest rooms will be closed.
At this time we are not opening the adult fiction and non-fiction stacks upstairs, but items can be requested and will be delivered to the lobby. The Children’s and Teen area will also be open on a limited basis: One family or single person by appointment for 30 minute browsing periods; entry will be from the upstairs garden door. Browsing hours for all will be 2-4pm Monday-Saturday and an additional 5 -7pm on Wednesday evenings.
Curbside pickup will continue 10am to 1pm daily, Monday - Saturday and Tuesday evening from 4 – 7pm.
Our popular Friends of the Library book store, unfortunately, will not be operating during this phase, nor will we be able to accept donations since we have no space to quarantine, sort and store donations. There will be no Annual Sale this year. We are hopeful that the Friends will be back operating their book store before Winter.
Our goal during this phase is to make visits to the library as safe as we can for patrons and staff. Everyone entering the building over the age of two will be required to wear appropriate face coverings and maintain social distancing during their visit.
If our regional health continues to be good, our intention is to move to our next phase sometime in October when we will want to open the adult reading room for work and study (at socially distanced intervals, of course). To keep up with the latest news on the library re-opening, visit our website and look over our FAQs.
Thank you for your patience during this challenging time. We all look forward to seeing you again!
John Sexton
Library Director
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We miss all of our patrons and can't wait to see everyone again!
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The Friends of the Library book store is currently closed and will not be accepting donations at this time.
There will be no Annual Sale this year. We are hopeful that the Friends will be back operating their book store before Winter.
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Back to School - Supporting a Universe of Learning
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It’s “Back to School” time and in the midst of continued COVID-19 health concerns and physical distancing restrictions, “Back to School” looks a lot different than it did a year ago! These are challenging and uncertain times, and as schools finalize and adapt their reopening plans to safely and responsibly meet the needs of all learners, their families, and school faculty and staff, we must all continue to adapt as well. We’re in this together and whether school involves in-person, remote or hybrid learning, the Greenburgh Public Library is here to help!
The library has a robust collection of electronic learning, research and support resources to help learners of all ages available for free with your Greenburgh (or Westchester) Library card. We’ve highlighted a few below and encourage you to explore further at greenburghlibrary.org. As always, feel free to reach out to either Youth or Adult Services staff for help navigating these resources or for finding appropriate and exciting reading suggestions and activities. Call us at (914) 721- 8227 for Youth Services, 914-721-8225 for Adult Services or contact us via Chat from our website!
For parents and home educators:
Our Homeschooling Help Guide provides a variety of resources, programs, and websites to inform, educate, and help the homeschooling community.
Wide Open School - Offers expertly curated collections of learning activities for pre-K to grade 12, as well as tips and resources for distance learning for parents/caregivers and teachers. Hay recursos en español.
For Students of All Ages:
Our For Students Page provides access a variety of online tutoring, research and interactive learning games such as:
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Tutor.com - With your Westchester library card, learners from Kindergarten thru early college, adult learners and job seekers can access Tutor.com for FREE live, on-demand one-on-one tutors from 9am - 10pm, Monday thru Friday PLUS 24/7 services such as test prep, writing review, skills practice and MORE! También hay tutores que hablan español. Check out what Tutor.com has to offer in this quick video.
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Online encyclopedias targeted to elementary, secondary, and adult learning levels with Gale in Context and Encyclopedia Brittanica. También hay versiones en español.
For Preschool and Elementary Learners:
Tumble Book Library - a fun and interactive library of animated, talking story books for children from kindergarten to 6th grade. Read along and listen or read on your own. Hay libros en español.
ABCMouse at Home - a digital education program for children ages 2-8. Click Checkout Account, select Greenburgh Public Library, and enter your library card and pin to be assigned an ABC Mouse email and temporary password to start learning via our website or ABCMouse app. Hay lecciones en español.
Virtual Family Fun from the Library and Beyond!
Visit the library’s Read, Listen, Watch and Read, Listen, Watch for Kids pages for more digital sites, fun activities, and helpful resources to assist, educate, and entertain the whole family as we learn and work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Check out the The Home Zone for free and fun virtual activities for families at home including story times, classes, and virtual tours. For more entertainment and relaxation options and a calendar of what’s happening virtually outside the library, explore our new Outside Virtual Events Calendar
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¿Hablas espanol? We now have certain webpages of the Greenburgh Library website available to browse in Spanish. Learn about curbside pickup, e-resources, information about offerings for children and teens as well as the Library’s hours and directions. Access all of this and more by visiting: https://greenburghlibrary.org/Bienvenidos
¿Hablas español? Ahora tenemos ciertas páginas web del sitio web de la Biblioteca de Greenburgh disponibles para navegar en español. Obtenga información sobre la recogida en la acera, los recursos electrónicos,información sobre las ofertas para niños y adolescentes, así como el horario y las direcciones de la biblioteca. Acceda a todo esto y más visitando: https://greenburghlibrary.org/Bienvenidos
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Featured Virtual Programs
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As the library begins to cautiously add more in person services, programming will continue virtually for the near future. We will continue to offer a full slate of excellent programs for all ages to engage with this fall:
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Several of our librarians will also be hosting a Weather 101 session on September 16, where you can learn the basics of weather terminology, and get the skinny on specific weather phenomenon. Here in the Hudson Valley we experience everything from hurricanes to blizzards, and so much in between, so come learn something new and chat about it with other weather nerds.
We also have opportunities for you to engage with cultural programming this fall! If you are a linguaphile (or just trying to brush up on your foreign language skills) and have some basic proficiency in Spanish or French, we have two great conversation groups where you can come and practice with others! Both meet weekly on Wednesdays.
Our film discussion series will meet on three Monday evenings to explore several historical period dramas featuring strong female leads. The films are all available to stream with your library card from our Kanopy streaming service. The discussion will be facilitated by Marcus Renna, a lover of libraries and films alike.
September is suicide awareness and prevention month and we hope you will join us on September 24th for the first of our mental health virtual programming series, Shining the Light on Mental Health when representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Westchester will share about their lived experience with mental illness and offer helpful resources we can use for ourselves or to support a loved one.
We also have book groups and opportunities to engage with stories for all ages! The Children’s Library will continue hosting weekly virtual story times on Tuesdays and Thursdays, to engage with our youngest readers. You’ll also have the opportunity to join several adult discussion groups: The Meet Your Neighbors book club, and if you are short on time, you may consider joining our new Keep it Short short story discussion group led by librarian Nancy Larrabee.
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Are you ready for November 3, 2020? Make your plan so that your vote will count.
Check on your voter registration status. Voting locations are assigned by address, update your address right away using the NYS DMV online voter registration form. If you are not registered you can do it now by using the DMV website or fill out a paper form and put it in the mail.
COVID-19 has changed how New Yorkers can vote. For the first time any New Yorker can use an absentee ballot to vote; however, you must request an absentee ballot.
Find the answers to these questions and more at the Library’s Election 2020 page.
Key Dates:
Oct 9 – last day for paper registration forms to be postmarked
Oct 24 – first day of in person early voting
Oct 27 – last day for absentee ballot applications to be postmarked
Nov 2 – last day of in person early voting
Nov 3 – last day for an absentee ballot to be received
Nov 3 – last day to vote in person
Time flies, so get started now!
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“If you feel like you don't know enough about history and politics, this is a great start. Engaging and eye-opening.”
-Laura, Circulation
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“For people interested in music history, and those wanting to know more about the life of a great singer who died way before her time.”
-Vincent, Adult Services
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“Set in 1950's Mexico this takes you on a gothic ride. This novel has you questioning whether the mystery on hand is supernatural or man made, a real
page turner.”
-Adriana, Circulation
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“Mary Todd Lincoln is a fascinating historical figure. Jennifer Chiaverini’s book is great for anyone interested in historical fiction!”
-Nancy, Adult Services
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Monday through Saturday: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday:
5:00pm - 7:00pm
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Hoopla is a groundbreaking digital media service offered by your local public library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone –
and even your TV!
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This newsletter is made possible through the valuable contributions of the entire library staff. Editorial and layout contributions by Megan Fenton, Janet Heneghan and
Christa O’Sullivan.
September/October 2020
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