The Fall eNewsletter is here!

Friends of the Eldredge Public Library

TIDINGS

e-newsletter

Chatham, MA

Fall 2020

"Connecting Chatham to the World"

FEPL Fall Learning Series Goes Online, Free to All

Registration is open for the Fall 2020 Learning Series. There are eight, online, single session classes mid-September to mid-November. The classes are a gift to the community and an opportunity to learn and interact in a new way that enhances the joy of discovery.

The series offers music from Broadway, movies, and modern composers presented by John Whelan, Ryan Peteraf and Joe Marchio. Author Stephen Kinzer is back with Poisoner-in-Chief, his new book with a fast paced CIA story. The Virtual Bus Tour of Historic Chatham is on film, with tour guide Ron Clark. Cape Air CEO Dan Wolf will be Looking Ahead to 2021 in a discussion guided by audience questions. Bob Ralls, a computer security expert, will discuss Computer Security at Home and lawyer and psychic reader Catherine Cullen will lighten up our lives with an Introduction to the Psychic Arts.

Registration is required for each class in order to receive an invitation to the Zoom meeting or webinar.

Download the class descriptions, presenters and times.

For further information, email learningseries@eldredgelibrary.org

or visit eldredgelibrary.org/learning-series

Regina McDowell and Joanna Schurmann

Co-chairs, FEPL Learning Series Committee

News from the Library Director

Judging by the number of requests for materials we fill each day and the number of emails, comments and notes of appreciation we have received, we feel confident that our “curbside” service is working well. That said, I know the number one question on everyone's mind is "When are you going to open?"

We are working on a reopening plan that puts the safety of staff and patrons as top priority but also allows us to continue with curbside pickup while offering more services such as computer access, use of the copy machine and browsing the shelves. Please continue to watch your email for updates. We hope to open our doors on a limited basis the beginning of October.

You will soon receive our Annual Fund Drive appeal letter in the mail. Your donation will enable the Library to continue to thrive during these challenging times. We raise 40% of our operating budget through this campaign and the monies raised go directly back to the Library to support staff, purchase materials, and to meet operating and programming expenses. Your support will allow us to continue to provide for our community! Thank you,

Amy Andreasson, Library Director

amyandreasson@clamsnet.org

A Message From Youth Services

As I write this submission for the fall Tidings, Youth Services is wrapping up the summer of 2020 – and it’s with mixed emotions! Virtual programming and “curbside” services will never replace the joy we experience when interacting with our families at the Library.

However, our “Imagine Your Story” summer reading adventure was a grand success, and we owe that to a dedicated group of volunteers, two very creative, enthusiastic Youth Services staff members, and the best library community ever!

First and foremost, on behalf of the YS staff and the 135 registrants for our first online summer reading adventure, THANK YOU!! We are still in awe of the Friends’ response to our pleas for assistance when the Library closed its doors last March. We knew then that the fast approaching summer months would be like no other, and we needed to promptly switch gears, change plans, and develop a program that would not only help us connect virtually with our summer readers, but also engage them.

Following several webinars and state-wide meetings, Beanstack was hands-down the most popular and user-friendly software for hosting an online reading program. Within just a few days of sharing our information with the Friends, we had a Beanstack account and a team of programmers ready to assist us in creating a customized program for the EPL! We cannot begin to express the gratitude we have for the continued support of the Friends of the Eldredge Public Library.

Secondly, let me just say Meghan Kemp and Leah Dower…wow! These two ladies wrote a 10-week storyline that required logging reading times, participating in off-screen activities, and attending a wide variety of virtual programs for families of all ages. The retention rate for this program says it all, not to mention the notes, the videos, and the window visits from our parking lot. I will say it again: patiently waiting for our Youth Services Librarians was so worth it. I feel like we hit the lottery with Meghan and Leah. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Youth Services!

Lastly, a heartfelt thank you goes to all the patrons who participated in our summer reading adventure. We are so grateful for every one of you, and we truly appreciate your patience and your feedback as we navigated our first virtual summer.

Tammy DePasquale, Assistant Director and Head of Youth Services

Friends offer Complimentary Books!

The Friends of the Eldredge Public Library Book "Sale" is still closed BUT the Free Book Cart is open for business!

Compliments of the Friends of EPL, a cart of free books will be at the side entrance, weather permitting! Please keep social distance while others are browsing and remember to wear your mask! We are still not accepting donations at this time.

FEPL Membership

Don't worry, you didn't miss the Friends Membership Drive! We have delayed our usual membership request until later in the Fall. We hope you will renew your membership or become a new member! The dedication and support of The Friends allows the Library to offer services otherwise beyond its financial means.

Join online or download a membership form!

Joan Craig and Bette Hahner

Co-chairs, FEPL Membership Committee