On May 20 we began offering limited computer access, with a handful of patrons in the building at a time. Preparations for that required removing most of the computers from the building, installing Plexiglas screens around the circulation desk, roping off most of the stacks and setting up a “welcome station” at the front door. Our first day of service went well. It’s strange to have so much silence in a building that’s usually so busy!
We are also looking ahead to when we will be able to let more people in. Preparations for that include spacing out furniture on the main floor, putting up dividers in the study carrels, developing plans to handle checkout procedures, and generally rebuilding everything from the ground up.
One thing that hasn’t changed: curbside pickup is still in full swing. If you’d like to place a hold for checkout, give us a call!
Happy Memorial Day to all the wonderful Friends out there.
Dave Berry
Director, Homer Public Library
Coordinator’s Corner
For nearly five years I have had the pleasure of being the Coordinator for the Friends of the Homer Library. In this role I’ve had the privilege to work with volunteers and library staff to organize Big Reads, STEAM Book Discussions, Artist Talks, Travelogs, Author Readings, community conversations, fundraisers, BOB the Bookmobile visits and more. Through these experiences I have learned much from FHL members and volunteers about community engagement—about the value of working and learning together.
I had plans to leave before the current situation with Covid-19. I’m moving on to some of my own creative projects that have been long tabled. As I have slowly departed over the past couple of months, I have been awed by the commitment of board members, volunteers, and staff to make access to library resources available whatever the circumstances. From afar, I have watched the most dedicated and solution oriented set of individuals identify ways and means to open the library and make books and technology accessible.
I appreciate the ways that staff, volunteers and members encouraged me to think more critically, to take on bigger projects, and to think “sideways” when necessary. This role has led me to books, ideas, subjects, and friends that I would have never crossed otherwise. I have been so lucky. Thank you.
Keep reading and learning.
With Gratitude,
Mercedes Harness
BOB the Bookmobile will be open on Monday and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will be parked in the Library Parking Lot.
Come by the library and take a stroll through the newly renovated Story Walk. The Story Walk was funded through a grant from the KLEP Fund of the Homer Foundation.
COME WALK A STORY! Bring your whole family to the library’s trail , read and interact with a new, fun picture book posted along our storywalk each month. Here are this summer’s titles, which people of all ages will enjoy:
June: The Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach
Ross Burach creates a hilarious dialogue between a young caterpillar and his peers as they undergo metamorphosis. While he joins them as they begin to transform into butterflies, he experiences extreme impatience waiting inside the chrysalis. This book is the funniest book about metamorphosis I have read. The dialogue format allows readers to take turns reading it.
July: The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywalt
“Long ago in the Kingdom of Backyard, there lived a warrior named Rock,” begins the legend of this favorite children’s game. He wanted to desperately find worthy opponents. In his search he found two warriors, Paper and Scissors, who were also in search of battles against worthy opponents. Epic and hilarious clashes occur, and the rest is history. Replete with dialogue and expletives, this is another humerous story that begs shared reading. When done telling the legend, play a few games of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
August: Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World by Steve Jenkins
This nonfiction picture book explains how animals use their eyes to take in information about their world. Steve Jenkin’s beautiful illustrations accompany a text explaining how animals over the last billion years have evolved a wide variety of eyes as well as a wide variety of how to use them. The illustrations alone are worth viewing. I learned a lot of new, surprising information from this book, which will appeal to all ages.
September: TBA
Reading Between the Lines
Reviewers Wanted
Have you ever wanted to promote a book, a recorded book, or other resource from our library? We are looking for a few new voices to participate and round out our already outstanding group of RBL participants for the Reading Between the Lines program. The RBL is a weekly review segment which airs at 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings on KBBI 890 AM radio. We are looking for people who are passionate about our library, library resources, and who like to share that passion with our friends and family in the Homer area.
The Friends of the Homer Public Library
sponsor the RBL program.
Things you might want to know…
Segments are recorded in advance, so if you are nervous about having to do this live on air, no worries! Matt at KBBI will work with you and re-record until you are happy with the results.
You can sign up for a one-off, or to become part of a regular rotating schedule of reviewers.
Need summers off, or are you gone snow birding for the winter? No problem! We can accommodate your schedule.
At the moment with the Covid 19 virus we need to record our segments at home and send them as an email attachment to Matt. (I can walk you through this process)
If you would like more information or a copy of the RBL guidelines and general information notes please contact Jacqueline E. Peterson at RBLHomer@gmail.com
Summer@HPL
In spite of the unusual year we've been having so far, there are some things that continue on. The seasons have changed, the school year ended, the sandhill cranes returned, and the days are longer. Summer@HPL is back also! And while Summer@HPL looks a little different this year, we've found new ways to support summer reading and learning… remotely!
Summer@HPL 2020 is like many of the most popular summer activities from years past; it takes tried and true ideas, mixes them up, adds new tools, and creates something new.
Help us test out our experiment and find new ways to stay connected while we learn! Summer@HPL 2020 runs through August 15th and includes the annual reading challenge for all ages, new Activity To Go! kits for kids and teens available through curbside pickup (or inside after June 8), virtual programs for youth and their families, and the Food for Kids and Teens program.
