Believe it or not, September marks six months since our worlds were turned upside down by COVID-19. For Orange County Library System, that means six months since we’ve had no in-person events and programs, which used to bring our libraries to life with laughter and learning. Just because our buildings are quieter than we’re accustomed to, though, doesn’t mean that we aren’t hustling behind the scenes to re-envision what it means to be a library in the COVID era.
We’re now offering a full slate of virtual programming every day, ranging from storytimes to STEM programs to writing events to technology classes that you can access for free from the comfort of your own home. We’ve created and given away hundreds of take-home craft packs and activities for families, and last month we even hosted our first big author event – our Big Read kickoff featuring a virtual keynote presentation with Kelly Link took place on August 23 via Zoom. We’ve enjoyed producing these events so much that we’ll likely continue to host virtual programming even when COVID is finally past us, and we’re constantly thinking of new ways to keep our customers coming back for more.
In September, we’re planning to host a discussion on Learning at Home, to help parents use the library to aid them in their homeschooling or virtual learning journeys. We’re partnering with Writer’s Block Bookstore to bring bestselling author Fredrik Backman, author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller A Man Called Ove, to discuss his newest title, Anxious People. We’ve even got plans in the works to bring Trick or Treat Safe Zone, presented in partnership with the Orange County Regional History Center, to life online.
All you need to take advantage of these programs (and more) is your library card. Don’t have one? It’s easy to sign up – just visit ocls.info/getyourcard and fill out the form. We’ll have one in the mail to you in no time. September is National Library Card Sign-up Month, so what are you waiting for? There’s no better time to get your card than now!
