Southwick Public Library Director Lynn Blair (THE WESTFIELD NEWS SUBMITTED PHOTO)
SOUTHWICK – Southwick Public Library Director Lynn Blair wants to remind residents that although the library building is closed, there are several ways to access services from home.
“We offer all types of digital resources to keep you busy for the next few weeks. Download the Overdrive or Libby app to get access to the CW Mars library’s collection of e-books, audiobooks, movies, and magazines for all ages,” Blair said in a recent announcement, adding that residents who don’t have a card may sign up for an instant one at digitalbooks.cwmars.org,
Further instructions said residents may access eBooks and eAudiobooks online without a card for up to a year by only using basic information such as name and cell phone number or email address.
Download the Overdrive OR Libby app on your device through your app store. You can also sign up with Overdrive on your computer. Just click the link at: https://www.overdrive.com/account/sign-up.
As of January, the Southwick Public Library also has a subscription to Hoopla, which offers a different collection of movies, music and TV shows, Blair said.
She is also posting other resources on the Facebook page at Southwick Public Library.
Blair started as library director at the end of July 2019. “We were just settling in, gaining steam,” she said, before the outbreak began. Previously, she served as library director in Westhampton.
Working from home, Blair said she is using the time to evaluate the library’s services. “The nice thing is I’ve been able to work from home, and I’m using the time to develop new services and look into different things we can do once we’re able to get back into the regular stream of things,” she said.
One area Blair is looking to expand is their “Library of Things,” which opened last summer and lends out specialty tools and other items for one-time projects that people may not want to purchase.
“Now that I have a little bit of free time, I’ll look into expanding that area,” she said, adding that she will look at other suggestions from patrons as well.
Blair is also available during the library’s closure by email at [email protected].
She said she has been getting emails, mostly from people who are new to accessing items online, and who need help. She said people are interested in learning about the other collections that are available to them.
“I’m glad we can still provide items of interest to people even though we’re not physically open,” Blair said.
Didn’t have time to read the last book you checked out? The book drop is currently closed, and patrons are asked to hang onto all their items until the library reopens. No late fees will be charged.
The library is currently closed until April 7, although Blair said that date could change. She said the library staff is very eager to get back to work, and misses seeing their regular patrons.
“We look forward to being able to open our doors to you again soon,” Blair said.
