GPL's July/August Newsletter
Looking Ahead
As you likely know, we are now providing contactless pick up service for library items placed on hold to be picked up at GPL. Our hours for this service are now Monday to Friday 10am – 1pm and Tuesdays from 4pm to 7pm.  While the program initially offered only books available at GPL, now you can select from any book in the Westchester Library System online catalog and it will be delivered to Greenburgh. Once we receive the items, it will be quarantined for a 72 hour period (the length of time the virus can remain contagious on book covers), and then made available to you. You can read the details of how our curbside pickup service works  HERE . 

While most Westchester libraries are providing some kind of contactless pickup service, a handful have actually opened their doors for limited access for browsing of the library’s collection. No two libraries are taking the same approach to limited re-opening as each library building has constraints that determine how best to maintain social distancing protocols and a safe environment for staff and library patrons. For example, there are limits on the number of patrons that can enter (from 10 to 25 in most libraries) and how long they can stay (30 minute maximum seems common).  Chairs and tables have been removed and most of the library remains closed to the public. The idea is to provide an opportunity for browsing new books and DVDs but not an opportunity to remain for an extended period of time. Few libraries are providing public internet terminals, though all still have wi-fi available.

At Greenburgh, we are taking a cautious approach to re-opening because our priority remains doing everything we can to mitigate the spread of the covid-19 virus. We feel that providing responsive curbside pickup service, online reference chat, and maintaining a robust and diverse offering of online library programs gives our community opportunities to discover, learn and grow without the risk of spreading or contracting the virus. It is painful to me to have such a beautiful facility that our patrons cannot fully enjoy right now. But using a library is, for most of us, a high-touch experience. Each visitor to the library (we average about 800 visits per day) touches books and DVDs, chairs, desktops, door handles, bannisters, touch screens, keyboards, library cards, etc. We have yet to find the way to sanitize all these touchable surfaces so completely that we can feel confident welcoming the public back into the library .

We will re-open GPL in stages following the example of other libraries whose practices have kept patrons and staff safe. As New York’s incidence of positive cases continues to decline we will reach a point where the risk of infection is minimal and feel safe resuming some of our services within the library building. We very much all look forward to once again welcoming our community into the library. Until then, stay safe and healthy. 

John Sexton, Library Director

We miss all of our patrons and can't wait to see everyone again!
New & Modified Services @ the Library
How we do things has changed (for all of us!). Even though our building isn’t open to the public yet, we have created many opportunities for you to connect with us, each other, and great books and resources. Here are all the ways you can connect with us right now, as we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic:
Chat with Us!
 Library staff are reachable via live chat from the library homepage , Monday through Friday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Need your library card updated? Have a question about a program? Looking for an eBook edition? We can help with that! If you have a question outside of chat hours you can also submit it on the library homepage and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. We are also still available on the phone! Call us at 914-721-8204 for questions about check outs or library cards, and 914-721-8225 for Adult Reference and 914-721-8227 for Youth Services. 
Digital Collections & Resources
 You don’t even have to leave your house to get library books! We have many excellent collections of eBooks, eAudio, Comics AND streaming video for all ages. Check out our Books, Music, Magazines, and Video page for a full menu of the services we offer. We also provide access to online learning services, accessible remotely with your library card, where you can brush up on job skills, prepare for exams, and get live tutoring. Check out our Learn Online page to see all of our offerings. 
Virtual Programs
The library’s programming has moved online via Zoom ! Whether you are looking for virtual storytimes, teen meet-ups, or presentations for adults, there’s something for everyone. Take a look at our online calendar for a full schedule, and look out for our weekly emails. 
Curbside Pickup
Although we can’t fully reopen our library just yet, we want to make our books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs available to Greenburgh Public Library patrons through Contact Free Curbside Pickup! Exchange of all library materials in the Westchester Library System has now resumed. Patron holds will be filled as usual, from all 38 libraries. No fines will accrue during this time.
Featured Virtual Programs
Friday, July 17 @ 11:00am
Via Zoom
Learn more about finding information about your ancestors from different countries. Registration required.
Wednesday, July 22 @ 11:00am
Via Zoom
Join in the virtual trip without leaving the comfort of your own home! Learn more about the sights and sounds of our national park treasures. Registration required.
Fridays, July 17, 24 & 31 from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Via Zoom
Miss hanging out in Teenburgh? Teen Lounge is the next best thing! Meet up with friend and make some new ones in this video chat room every Friday at 3:30 PM. For students entering grades 6-12 in September 2020.
FAQs Now at Your Fingertips!

Living amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has required that we all adapt to a “new normal” of social distancing and sheltering in place. One of the ways the library has adapted to helping patrons during the library closure is by creating Frequently Asked Questions which patrons can access from the library’s homepage . 

Clicking on one of the five most asked questions (currently Borrowing & Returning Materials) will bring you into another window where the answer is displayed.

If you require further assistance you have several options:

If you don’t see your question featured on the homepage, clicking on the Frequently Asked Questions section title will display ten of the most popular FAQs (or most recent, by changing tabs). From this screen you still have the option to search, browse, and contact library staff.
Summer Reading @ GPL
Oline Summer Reading for Children and Teens has begun! Adults looking for their next read and other ways to engage with stories visit our What to Read page!  

Staff Testimonials 
Libraries have always sought to be nimble and responsive in meeting community needs, but this has been an extraordinary and unprecedented challenge to our service models. We have had to evolve at seemingly warp speed. We asked library staff to reflect on the following: 

What have you learned during the quarantine that has helped the library evolve?

I learned that it is possible to keep library programs running if you are willing to reimagine them in a virtual setting. Change challenges our ability to adapt, and the library is amazing at rising up to that challenge.
-Cristina, Circulation

We showed amazing ingenuity to develop alternative ways of continuing communicating with and serving the public by jumping over the hurdle of our physical shutdown. We were still able to offer personal assistance and be absolutely 100% open virtually at any time of the day to serve the information needs of the toddlers, children, teens, and adults of the community with our online resources!
-Jennifer, Youth Services 

I learned that we can adapt the way we serve our community. We really relied on each other as a staff as we navigated a new way to help our patrons.
-Michelle, Adult Services 

I think the pandemic really shined a light on libraries’ strengths and weaknesses alike. It has reinvigorated us to apply those strengths in new ways, and has also highlighted areas where more work and advocacy is required of us to reach our whole communities.
-Megan, Adult Services

“Burns transports viewers back to the 1930s American prairie, where communities were not only hit hard by the Great Depression but also by the impacts of unsustainable farming practices and drought. The remarkable stories Burns tells will shock you, break your heart, and move you.”
 -Megan, Adult Services


“A fast-paced historical thriller will provide a great escape from shelter in place routines.”

-John, Administration


“An atmospheric, beautifully written and imagined murder mystery taking place in turn of the century Vienna.”

-Cory, Administration

“This body positive book is filled with twists & turns I never saw coming!”

 -Michelle, Adult Services
Features From the GPL Blog

Job searches can already be challenging, but with COVID-19 so much more of your search and presentation to employers will be happening online. Librarian Christa O’Sullivan has some tips to help you stand out.
Dough! Part 1 & Part 2
By Cristina Ramos-Payne

During the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a resurgence in baking, especially bread, often out of necessity AND an interest in adopting a new home-based hobby. Library Clerk Cristina Ramos Payne tried her hand at the sourdough method, and found some great baking eCookbooks to share with you in the process.

Recent violence against people of color has renewed a national conversation about racism and both the overt and insidious ways it is perpetuated in contemporary America. Library Assistant Janet Heneghan shares where she has sought out knowledge and insight in this moment.
New Outside Virtual Events Calendar!
In light of continued restrictions for in-person gatherings, the Greenburgh Public Library is continuing to expand access to online resources and virtual programming for our patrons. In addition to Greenburgh Public Library virtual events, our staff have curated a calendar of Outside Virtual Events not sponsored by the library in keeping with our library mission . The Outside Virtual Events calendar can be accessed from our Library Events calendar on our website . 

From the mini-calendar display on our homepage and throughout our website, click “ Show all ” to access the full Library event listing and calendar search features. (Alternatively, use the Events tab from anywhere in our website and select Calendar). Next, use the calendar drop down menu to check “Outside Events not sponsored by the Library”. You may use the Category field to filter for different types of events. 

 PLEASE NOTE:   These Outside Virtual events ARE NOT affiliated with or sponsored by the Greenburgh Public Library. Any registration required will be made with the third party host. Should you need assistance registering for or participating in an event, please contact the hosting organizatio n.
The Library is Closed until Further Notice due to Covid-19. 

Please continue to check the website for updates.
Kanopy Kids highlights films and TV series that help children develop empathy, mindfulness, and self-esteem through entertaining and educational videos. Kanopy has partnered with Common Sense Media™ to provide developmentally appropriate age rating for videos on Kanopy Kids.

This newsletter is made possible through the valuable contributions of the entire library staff. Editorial and layout contributions by Megan Fenton and Christa O’Sullivan.

July/August 2020