March 2020 Statistics

3/31/2020

Spring Break:

• Before temporarily closing to the public, Palmer Public Library was able to pack in some fantastic community events!! In an effort to provide quality programming during school breaks, Palmer Public Library switched up our schedule during Spring Break. On Tuesday, March 10th we were able to connect with the largest indoor aquarium in the world!! Thanks to our VTC equipment, our patrons went on a virtual tour of shark tanks, sea jellies, and coral reef…all in Omaha, Nebraska! It was an insightful and entertaining hour discussing adaptation and habitat. The next day, we were happy to show Frozen II and serve popcorn. The biggest event we hosted was a blow out!! Jonathan’s Reptiles brought several animals to the depot on Thursday, March 12th. For two hours our community members were welcome to pet, handle, ask questions, and take pictures with a large variety of snakes, reptiles and even a tarantula too!!
• Our school break programs only lasted a couple of days but were able to serve hundreds of Palmer-area patrons. We would like to give a big, loud THANK YOU to Friends of the Palmer Library—they generously sponsored our programs and kept attendance FREE for the entire community. Thank you, Friends!!

Library Closure:

• While PPL is closed to the public, plenty of work has been going on behind-the-scenes. To help stop the spread of COVID19, PPL staff is sanitizing every item that comes to our building. As a service to the community, PPL has kept its book and disc returns open to the public. Although patrons are not able to check out new materials at this time, they are still able to return items to the library. Twice a day, staff bring returned materials into the library and begin the process of disinfecting everything. It is a time-consuming and involved process, but we are happy to be able to do our part to assist the community.
• How are staff staying busy:  Shelf Reading! Every shelf in the library is getting attention; books are being pulled off each shelf, the shelf is dusted, and the books are re-shelved in the correct order.  We’re finding items that have been considered lost or not even our items.  This is a long, dirty process but one that every staff person has been wanting to do.  Library inventory will start the beginning of the month by Joy Bailey, while staff continue to shelf read, clean, and start painting.

What is being offered while we are closed:

• Online services:  Another way we are reaching the community is through our online services. By visiting our website, pplak.org, patrons will find heaps of information on how to obtain a temporary library card (to access digital content).  We have a great selection of free online resources, for all ages, available on our website at pplak.org. Hover over the Resources, or eLibrary tabs to explore a whole new digital world! Access the Alaska Digital Library and other sources for free or low-cost eBooks and eAudiobooks. Tumblebooks, Amazon, and Audible have opened some of their digital book collections for free use for a limited time. Play mind-strengthening games, learn a foreign language, get Live Homework Help, small business information, car repair and driving practice tests, study for standardized tests, like the ACT and SAT, get career help and information, learn about avalanche safety, glacier guides, disaster preparedness, gardening, genealogy, or health and wellness. Now is a great time to learn new computer skills, or brush up on Excel, Power Point, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. Spring cleaning? Take a few minutes to opt out of junk mail and calling lists too.   The information on our website is updated as details unfold and so has become a fantastic location for up-to-date resources.
• Another new feature to our online presence is the addition of virtual Story Time!! Patrons contacted the library to let us know that their children missed coming to the library and enjoying their regular visits to Story Time. To stay connected and support the community, PPL is thrilled to announce that we are posting our children’s programs online!!  Anyone who is interested in viewing may find the links to the videos on our website, pplak.org, on the Friends of the PPL’s FB page, and on YouTube.

 
Updates:

• PFD, and tax forms & instructions are available, to the public, outside the building, next to the front doors.
• Book drops are still open and processed each day.
• Items currently checked out are now due May 15, 2020.
• Free WiFi is available in the library parking lot. 
• Coming soon, upgraded FREE WIFI in the parking lot from MTA.