By: Donovan W. Mann – donovanm@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – The Humboldt Public Library is currently closed to walk in traffic but continues to offer services to the public.
April 19 through the 25 is national library week in the United States. Director of the Humboldt Public Library says they are currently offering their services via no contact pickup. They are also continuing to be engaged via social media and other methods with the community even during COVID-19 shutdown.
Johnson alongside Assistant Director and Head of the Children’s Library Julie Larson say the library is an important resource to the community. “It’s the hub the community” Johnson says. She says especially now in this new age people new to the community seem to gravitate to the library. Both Larson and Johnson says there are many programs offered, especially for children.
They say being in a smaller community offers them an advantage of really getting to know the people. “It’s nice when they call in, especially in the children’s department, and they say they need 10-15 books you know that family very well and you know what they like so we can just start pulling material” Larson says. Additionally Johnson recalls a time when she challenged a patron to get out of their comfort zone and says the patron has realized that they are forced to thanks to current situations.
While the Library is still offering services at a limited basis, Johnson and Larson says the community has continued to be understanding and that these times highlight the need for an escape. “The need to read and how important escaping is into a good book” Johnson says. Larson says that patrons have been very thankful that the library continues to offer services while they still can.
Johnson and Larson say that normally during National Library week they try to be interactive with the community with events at the library. This includes having special giveaways and drawings for prize giveaways. This year they says they are trying to be more interactive on social media in place of in person events they can’t hold due to COVID-19.
The Humboldt Public Library is currently offering no contact pick up available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:15 am to 4:30 pm. Patrons wishing to check out books can call the library at 515-332-1925. Resources are also available at humboldtpubliclibrary.com.