Communities are rolling up their sleeves and coming up with ways to deal with the consequences of social distancing and business closings due to the coronavirus.
Public libraries are at the heart of rural communities. They're a gathering spot, a portal for internet access and a safe place for teens and neighbors to meet up. But the coronavirus has changed all that.
At the beginning of last week, libraries throughout Virginia began to close. The Library of Virginia, one of the state's oldest agencies, closed and canceled all its public programs until the end of April.
On Virginia's rural Northern Neck, the Northumberland Public Library first canceled all library programs and meetings but stayed open. Staff donned protective gloves to regularly disinfect returned books, computer keyboards, doorhandles and everything in between. Patrons spaced themselves around the library. Others checked out stacks of books as word came from the governor and the federal government to stay home and not gather in large groups.
Librarian Alison Towles was working the circulation desk answering a lot of calls. "People were concerned about coming and finding out we were closed. They don't want be shut in without something to read. I'm just amazed at the number of books people are taking out," she said Monday. "I sold this tote because this lady checked out so many books that I wasn't sure how she could carry them.”
In a corner of this tiny rural library, high school senior Ocean Kelly was hanging out with her friends. They came to the library to use the broadband service to apply for summer jobs. Kelly earned a nursing
scholarship at the community college. But she's worried about graduating. "They gave out packets our last day but I don't understand how that works for seniors that need to graduate. We need seat hours so I don't know how we're going to do that if we can't go to school," Kelly worried.
Library Director Jane Blue armed her staff with a spray bottles of disinfectant. "I wish we could wipe down patrons but we can't do that," Blue said with a laugh. "So, the next best thing is to wipe down everything that comes in."
That was last Monday. By Wednesday, the county closed its offices, switching to email and phones to interact with residents. So, the library closed too. But not all the way. Blue saw that some libraries were offering curbside lending where patrons call in or do an online hold of books, movies and music.
And, something else happened on Monday with a patron and one of her staff that gave Jane Blue another idea. "We had a lady who needed to print something we weren't open quite yet. And so 'I said to her, I'm really sorry can you wait until nine-o'clock?' And Arthur said, 'If you can print it from out here from your phone, I'll go in and get it and bring it out.' And he did. And just got the dollar from her and brought it back in. If we can do things like that, I'm all for it. Same with remotely picking up books. So if a patron puts an item on hold. Calls me and says, 'hey, I'm coming in to pick this up,' I'm happy to meet them at the door and give it to them."
Blue also fired up the mobile library's solar-powered internet and parked it at a local church where people can drive up and connect. She also sees opportunity. Blue was hired only five months ago. She said now she and her staff will finally be able to inventory the library, something she hasn't had a time to do.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
