Author: alamancelibraries

We are hard at work getting our new Mobile Library ready and hope our new vehicle will be able to begin services soon!  This project began as an idea about four years ago. It has been fun to rediscover the history of Bookmobile services in Alamance County.  Carrying over 400 books, a converted delivery truck established a three week service rotation in 1938, making over 200 stops at farms, villages, churches, and meeting spaces. 

More than eighty years later, Alamance County Public Libraries staff and community have worked hard to lay the groundwork and raise the funds to once again have a bookmobile on the road.  Since it’s become much more than books that are offered at libraries, our new service has been deemed the Mobile Library as it will also offer Wi-Fi, access to services and technology, programming, and more.  Our vehicle is projected to be around thirty-five feet long with enough shelf space for about 2,500 books and materials. 

While our vehicle is under construction, we are working diligently to prepare for this new service.  Our Mobile Café has been exploring different places in Alamance County to find suitable stops. But we need your help to find great locations in your area.  Stops must meet the following criteria:

1. Has plenty of room for a 30-foot vehicle to get in and out (without having to back out);
2. Has ample parking near where the Mobile Library will be;
3. Is located in the rural areas of Alamance County (not near a branch library) OR would supply an underserved population (young children, older adults, veterans, lower income neighborhood);
4. Is a place where people would want to come to visit a Mobile Library (for instance, people visiting a grocery store usually don’t want to stop and look for a book with groceries in the car).

Please fill out one of our request forms (fillable or printable) and submit them to outreach@alamancelibraries.org or by mail to Outreach at 342 S. Spring St., Burlington, NC 27215.

We are also actively seeking sponsors for our Mobile Library project.  If you or someone you know may be interested in helping to sponsor our project, please contact me at sgoldman@alamancelibraries.org. Sponsorships must be completed by April 30^th to have your or your organization’s name on our sponsor’s recognition section of the vehicle.

We hope to see you out in the community in our new bright and colorful Mobile Library this fall!

While the Alamance County Public Library buildings are still closed to the public, this in no way means that we have stopped serving our community.  We are working diligently to get our buildings ready to welcome the community again with safety and social distancing precautions in place. In the meantime, don’t forget that Alamance County citizens can still apply for a library card online  https://www.alamancelibraries.org/your-library-card/create-a-temporary-account/  to get access to our online databases, downloadable books and audiobooks, and streaming movie, television and music services https://www.alamancelibraries.org/books-more/downloadable/.  

We are also offering Curbside Services at all four of our library branches Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Patrons can use the Library Catalog (https://catalog.alamancelibraries.org/) to search for their preferred items and place them on hold.  When you’re notified that your items are ready, call when you arrive at your library branch and we’ll meet you at the front door. 

Computer appointments are also available.  Appointments are for one hour with safety, cleanliness, face covering and social distancing practices in place.  Call your local library branch to find out the appointment times and availability.  Please leave a message if we don’t answer the phone and we will call you back.  More information can be found here: https://www.alamancelibraries.org/2020/06/24/computer-appointments-available/

Virtual programming is also going strong! Check out our videos on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AlamanceLibraries), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNI2uOEDIvKZ4iPcVaXRANw), and Instagram (https://instagram.com/alamancelibraries_) and website.  The Things to Do page under Kids & Teens features videos on Origami, Yoga, and other Storytimes.  While our in-person classes are not possible, there are now some helpful videos on some of the job and career resources and tools for job seekers on the Adult Education page. New content will be restarting in September.

And while our Summer Reading program is coming to an end, that doesn’t mean that the virtual programs, activity packets, and other resources are no longer available.  Find them all here: https://alamancelibraries.libguides.com/ImagineYourStory

Need some help finding another book to read or author you might be interested in? We have a wide variety of reading suggestion resources available on our What to Read page!  Check out the personalized readers’ advisory service, On the Shelves videos, new book lists, and more.

While our service model has had to change, we are definitely still working hard to get you the information, books, and programs you are interested in.

Public Computer Appointments begin Monday, June 29, 2020.

Admittance is for no more than two people per computer. Individuals wanting their own computer need to make a separate appointment.

Sessions will last only for one hour, and may not be extended. You may only schedule one session per day, and you may only have one session scheduled at a time. If you would like to schedule your next session at the end of your appointment, please leave time to do so. You will be asked to leave the building promptly at the end of your session.

Library staff will meet you at the door to let you into the building. Please arrive within 10 minutes of your scheduled appointment time. If you are experiencing any symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, or a cough, please do not come to your appointment. Give us a call and we will be happy to reschedule you.

Please use hand sanitizer before and after your session. Staff will wipe down all computers, desks and chairs between appointments.

Staff is able to provide only limited assistance at this time due to social distancing. If you feel like you will need assistance during your appointment, please plan to bring someone with you.

Please bring cash (bills under $5 and/or change) if you will need to print. Staff do not have access to change at this time.

The library is not open to the public at this time. Access to the building is for computer use only and will not provide access to browsing the materials.

Computer use is by appointment only. Appointments end at the time stated and cannot be extended.

Session times:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday

• 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday

• 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

To schedule your session, please contact your branch by phone:

• May Memorial Library: 336-229-3588
• Mebane Public Library: 919-563-6431
• Graham Public Library: 336-570-6730

Curbside service will adhere to the following guidelines:

Patrons may place items on hold via phone and the website

Once items have been pulled, you will be notified by text, email, or phone (whichever you have chosen)

Patrons should call when they arrive at the library.

• May Memorial Library: 336-229-3588
• Mebane Public Library: 919-563-6431
• Graham Public Library: 336-570-6730
• North Park Library: 336-226-7185

Items may be picked up:

• Mondays, Wednesday, & Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Tuesdays and Thursdays: 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Be prepared to show your library card or photo I.D. when picking up items

Late fees are being suspended until the libraries reopens

Please wear a face covering when out and about

Please do not use this service if you think you are sick

Who could have predicted that my first year as the Alamance County Public Library Director would have ended in unprecedented times?  Patrons, staff, community members, and the entire world are sharing in the stress and craziness of this pandemic and how it impacts their everyday lives.  It seems that many have settled into this new normal and are now starting to question what the world will look like when we come out on the other side. 

I want to take this time to remind those hurting that our community is working hard to be able to offer assistance and resources.  While we can’t fix every hurt, I hope some of these things can help.

• ABSS is offering free grab and go lunches at twenty-two school locations for anyone under the age of eighteen as well as many scheduled bus deliveries to neighborhoods with transportation challenges.  Check the updated list of school pick-up locations and the updated bus delivery schedule here: https://www.abss.k12.nc.us/Page/45872
• Many other organizations, churches, etc. are also working to help keep people fed during these times.  Here is the United Way Food Resource Guide to find locations near you.  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TrTh3cnNldXTLhRdlwu6Tcdy16wghFJZwcIm1t1PApY/edit
• Child Care Information – The Alamance Partnership for Children is still working to assist the daycares that have remained open and the parents who are now home with their children.  Their newsletter is full of many resources to help parents, caregivers, and more: http://www.alamancechildren.org/newsletters.html.  And, don’t forget that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a wonderful way to get a book every month even during Stay at Home orders: https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/affiliate/NCPCALAMANCE/?chkAvalAddressData=eyJjYWxsYmFjayI6dHJ1ZSwiYWRkcmVzcyI6eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoiVVMiLCJ6aXAiOiIyNzIxNSIsInN0YXRlIjoiTkMiLCJjaXR5IjoiQnVybGluZ3RvbiIsImNvdW50eSI6IkFsYW1hbmNlIiwic3RyZWV0IjoiIn19
• Small Business Owners can find information on the CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program here: https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/guide-to-the-cares-act.  Please remember that applications are completed in conjunction with your bank.

The Alamance County Public Libraries are also working to provide resources and information for you during this time.  Parents with young children are invited to join us on Facebook Live on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for a virtual storytime.  Our social media is very active; please follow us to find resources, information, and things to do. 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlamanceLibraries
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alamancelibraries
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNI2uOEDIvKZ4iPcVaXRANw

We also have downloadable books, audiobooks, and magazines available through multiple resources: https://www.alamancelibraries.org/books-more/ebooks/.  Hoopla offers streaming movies, music and television: http://www.hoopladigital.com/. There are also multiple online resources with learning and education opportunities that can be found here: https://www.alamancelibraries.org/reference-research/online-research-tools/ Library resources do require your library card number to access but for those who don’t have a card yet (or if you know someone who doesn’t, please share!), you can do this online and nothing will expire during this period! https://www.alamancelibraries.org/your-library-card/create-a-temporary-account/

I hope some of this information helps you.  And I look forward to the time when you can stop by the library again!

Susana Goldman, Director
What I’m reading right now: God’s of Howl Mountain by Taylor Brown