Director's Update, March 14, 2021
3/14/2021 • 3 years ago
The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 3 years ago.
As Mother Nature offers a taste of spring and many people are able to get vaccinated, I can’t help but feel that we are turning a corner on this pandemic. It has been one year since our library facilities have been closed to the public and we started reinventing library services. This has included 43,911 Contactless Holds Pickups, 221,000+ items checked out, 244,000+ items checked in and processed, 50 virtual programs for more than 3,000 attendees. New services have included Books to Go, Your Next Great Read, book distributions to kids at food pantries, affordable housing sites, and Takeout Technology and printing services.
I want to thank all of you for sticking with us as we revamped our offerings. I also want to say thank you to our library staff for their amazing commitment during a very challenging year. Finally, I want to honor and acknowledge the deaths of so many over the past year, including neighbors, colleagues, and family members, as well as Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
Sincerely,
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries
Here is what is happening at the Library this week.
Virtual ESOL Classes
Virtual English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Introductory ESOL takes place at 11 a.m., beginner ESOL at 1 p.m., and intermediate ESOL at 3 p.m. Registration is required for each class. Please see the online events calendar for more details.
Tinkercad 101: Customized Phone Stand
On Tuesday, March 16, at 6 p.m., learn the fundamentals of Tinkercad to design and edit objects for 3D printing. Participants may share a completed design file to be printed in The Hive and arrange to collect their finished projects via Contactless Holds Pickup. Basic computer skills are necessary for this course. Registration is required.
Tween/Teen Virtual Hangout
Tweens, teens, and their caregivers are invited to drop in on Wednesday, March 17, at 4 p.m. Say hello to your librarians, get book recommendations and research assistance, find out about our virtual offerings, and bring your suggestions! Registration is required.
Career Skills: Online Job Searches and and Résumé Submission
The online Career Skills workshop series, presented by the employment specialist Gary Gekow, will cover the fundamentals of looking for a job, from writing a strong résumé to preparing for a virtual interview. Attend any or all of the workshops. All are scheduled at 6 p.m. and registration is required for each one:
- Wednesday, March 17: Online Job Searches and Résumé Submission
- Wednesday, April 21: The Importance of Using LinkedIn
- Wednesday, May 19: Common Interview Workshop Questions and Scenarios
- Wednesday, June 16: Preparing for a Successful Virtual Interview
Wellness for Seniors: Virtual Zumba Gold
On Thursday, March 18, at 11 a.m., put on your dancing shoes to improve flexibility and balance, strengthen your muscles, and have a great time! The certified Zumba Gold instructor Emily B. will lead you through 45 minutes of low-impact ,easy choreography in your own home through Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants one hour before the program starts. Registration is required.
Alice North Towne Lincoln: Boston's Advocate for the Poor
On Thursday, March 18, at noon, join us as we uncover the story of Alice North Towne Lincoln, one of Boston's great 19th-century philanthropists who has been forgotten by history. Lincoln dedicated her life to helping the urban poor, reforming tenement housing, closing down Rainsford Island, and a number of other causes. Registration is required.
Turn Your Drawing into 3D Charms
Please join us for a virtual workshop on Thursday, March 18, at noon to learn some of the fundamentals of Google Drawing and Tinkercad to draw or design a charm or token and transform it into a three-dimensional object. Participants may share a completed design file to be made into a 3D printed charm or token in The Hive and arrange to collect them via Contactless Holds Pickup. Computer proficiency is necessary for this course. Registration is required.
Join Us for Story Time
We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of engaging stories. Plan to join in, sing along, and move around!
STEAM Story Times include hands-on activities to explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math.
We are happy to offer these Story Time programs this week:
- Girls Change the World Virtual Story Time: Monday, March 15, at 10:30 a.m.
- Virtual Preschool Story Time: Tuesday, March 16, at 4 p.m. Ages 3-5.
- Virtual STEAM Story Time: Wednesday, March 17, at 11 a.m.
- Virtual Family Story Time: Thursday, March 18, at 11 a.m.
- Virtual Story Time with the Mayor: Thursday, March 18, at 4 p.m.
Registration is required for each event.
Advanced Creative Drama with Little Spark Theater
Join us for an exploration of theater through silly, fun, zany, wacky, downright bananas imaginative play! This event takes place on Friday, March 19,at 4 p.m., and is recommended for kids ages 6-8. We focus on senses, feelings, and movement through structured dramatic play to build confidence, social awareness, empathy, and problem-solving skills. Registration is required.