Greetings to all our neighbors and patrons!
I write to you hoping that you are enjoying good health! It has now been 10 days since we had to close the Library and – believe me! – we miss you as much as you miss us. The Library will remain closed for the foreseeable future and I look forward to the time when I can offer a definite reopening date. The gears are still turning, however, as books are still being ordered and delivered, reference questions are being answered, and the librarians are getting ready for Summer Reading to commence at the end of June. If you visit the Library’s website, you will find ways to get in touch with us via text or email so that we can help you finding information and gaining digital access. You may also call 401-847-8720, x208 and leave a message. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
The Library has always been a great resource for any area of interest you may have. While we all endeavor to keep safe distances there are ways to remain engaged and entertained. For the past week I have been collecting some great websites to help provide relief to those who choose the most prudent course of action and are staying home as much as possible.
Chiefly, we want to keep you informed about resource points that will allow you to be vigilant against the novel coronavirus. Please consult the Rhode Island Department of Health website (or call 401-222-8022) as well as that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Rhode Island Small Business Helpline can be reached at 401-521-HELP. A workplace fact sheet has been prepared that employees and business owners will find informative and of great use.
The stresses of this outbreak are slowly revealing themselves. This guide can be very helpful to parents and caregivers who are being called upon daily to work through this pandemic.
The Library has always been a place to pick up tax forms, but with filing deadlines extended to July 15th we will make sure we have enough forms when we reopen. Refer to the IRS website for forms and instructions.
The Library’s Facebook page has great content, and please check out a new service from TumbleBooks. This collection allows you to follow along with books that are animated will full narration. Its sister site, TumbleMath, is especially helpful in solving particularly knotty math concepts. There are many other sites to visit to do some first-class armchair traveling. The list is hardly exhaustive and I invite you to send your favorite sites to me. The Library will compile them into an easily accessible list.
There is the Hogwarts Digital Escape Room that was devised by librarians in Pennsylvania that will provide all Harry Potter fans with a great way to enjoy being at home.
What to read?
- Hoopla and OverDrive are the Library’s main digital resources. Follow these instructions and start reading!
- Project Gutenberg;
- Google Books;
- The Library of Congress.
For art, modern and classical, please enjoy these world class museums on your favorite device:
- The Museum of Modern Art (New York);
- The National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.);
- The National Gallery (London);
- The Louvre (Paris);
- The National Art Center (Tokyo);
- The Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam);
- The Museum of the World.
Some wonderful museums to explore:
- The Smithsonian Institute (Washington, D.C.);
- The British Museum (London);
- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (Oklahoma City) – its Twitter feed is amazing.
Sharpen your skills:
- Khan Academy;
- Learn a language with Mango!
- Vimeo, a tutorial-heavy video service.
Animals! Animals! Animals!
- The Monterey Aquarium (Monterey, CA);
- The National Zoo (Washington, D.C.);
- Explore Live Cams (Various);
Armchair traveling:
- The Man in Seat 61 (great for train buffs);
- The Culture Trip;
- Open Street Map.
I’d love to hear what you are reading, watching, listening to, or what training you are taking. Send me an email and let me know. This can be a wonderful chance for our neighbors and patrons to be in touch and to let us know how you’re doing. Your Library really misses you!
Until then, I wish you all the best. Just as important as our health is our sense of community. We’ll get through this and the Library will be back to welcome you with open arms at an open door.
Stay healthy!
Joseph Logue
