Ayer Library Service Update
July 23, 2020
Dear Community Members,
Greetings from the Ayer Library! I would like you to know that although the Library building remains closed to the public, all of us on staff at the Library have been doing our best to continue to provide you with library services throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
During the stay-at-home advisory we worked from home, bolstering our electronic book and audiobook collections, learning how to take Story Times online, responding to voicemail, email, and Facebook requests for service. We also extended our WiFi network to cover more of the Library’s grounds and parking lot. Since returning to the building at the end of May, we have worked hard to restore more of the services you rely on us for.
We are now working in the building from 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesday- Friday and 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturdays. During these hours we are able to deliver books, DVDs, and other items to you contact-free with our current curbside service. We’re also able to assist with access to our online collections and answer questions or retrieve information for you. All you have to do is contact us by phone (978-772-8250) or email (ayerlibrary@cwmars.org). Also:
Library book drops are open to accept returned items. All items are being quarantined in the library for three days before being checked in and re-shelved; don’t worry because we are still waiving late fees on overdue items through the summer.
On our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AyerLibrary) and on the Ayer Public Access Corporation’s website (www.ayerpac.org) you’ll find recorded Story Times featuring library staff members and programming from some of our favorite performers like Strega Mama and Bangarang Yoga. New programs are going up weekly.
Stop by during curbside hours and you can pick up a weekly “Curbside Craft” for children from the delivery table. You don’t need to be picking up books to get a craft packet- they’re available to everyone. We’re working on some ideas for Curbside Crafts for adults, too, so stay tuned.
We’ve been ordering and receiving new print books, DVDs, and books on CD, and getting those new titles into circulation.
Although our New Books section is not open for browsing, there’s a new way for you to keep on top of the latest titles we’re adding to our collection – Wowbrary. By signing up with Wowbrary on our website (https://ayerlibrary.org), you’ll receive a weekly email listing all of the new titles we’ve added.
As of July 20th, Massachusetts Library System’s statewide delivery service is back up and running, so we can once again get items from libraries across Massachusetts delivered here for you.
Summer Reading is back, with contests and challenges for all ages! This year’s theme is Imagine your Story (think mythology, fantasy, and folklore). We’re using an online platform called Beanstack for sign-ups and tracking your reading. Go to our website to find out more and to sign up, or call us and we’ll get you and your family signed up over the phone.
Most of our Summer Reading programs and activities are in Beanstack or on our Web Pages, but we’re delighted to be hosting Awesome Rob’s Pirate Show Live on Facebook on August 6th. Thanks to the Ayer Cultural Council for providing funding to make this event happen.
The Friends of the Ayer Library had to cancel their Annual Plant Sale fundraiser, too, but the Friends would like you to know that you can still donate to support library programming! Send a check payable to the Friends of the Ayer Library by mail to 26 E. Main St. Ayer, or make an online donation with PayPal on the Friends page of the Library’s website.
I know that many of you would like to know when we will be reopening the building to the public. We have not set a target date for reopening at present. We are paying close attention to local and state advisories about safe operation and awaiting news of school district plans for the fall. At the same time, we are making plans and ordering protective equipment so that we can open as safely as possible when the time comes.
On behalf of the staff, the Friends, and the Ayer Library Board of Trustees, I wish you and yours every success in meeting the challenges of this pandemic and I thank you for your continued support of the Ayer Library.
Sincerely yours,
Tim Silva
Director of the Ayer Library
978-772-8250 x105
tsilva@ayer.ma.us