Library Status Due to COVID-19

Curbside Pickup, Browsing & Public Computers by Appointment Only, and Mobile Printing available. Call (641)682-7563 for more info or questions.

Learn more about... 

Browsing Appointments
Curbside pickup
Mobile Printing
Computer Appointments

 

Reminisce Society

Virtual Meeting

Thursday April 22^nd

2021 at 10 a.m.

Sara Maniscalco Robinson and Humanities Iowa Present:

Hear Iowa Veteran's Stories In Their Own Words

Join us Thursday April 22^nd at 10 am for this month’s Virtual Meeting of the Reminisce Society. We will be enjoying the program “Hear Iowa Veteran’s Stories in Their Own Words” presented by Sara Maniscalco Robinson and Humanities Iowa. Surviving a Prisoner or War (POW) Camp, describing the sight, sounds and smells of Vietnam, feeling the bitter cold of a Korean winter.

Sara has heard them all and wants to share these amazing first-hand accounts with you. No one speaks better about the experiences of war than the veterans themselves. Sara preserves these stories through video to help educate the public about life in the military. You will hear accounts of the day Pearl Harbor was bombed and the morning the Twin Towers were attacked, what it was like to be a woman in the military in WWII and what it feels like to be in and IED explosion driving across Iraq.

This meeting of the Reminisce Society will be held over Zoom. Contact Director Sonja Ferrell for access to the Zoom link at 641-682-7563 ext. 202 or through email at sferrell@ottumwapubliclibrary.org

Part Time Position Available at the Library

 

PART TIME JOB OPPORTUNITY

NOTE: There is a vacancy in the library for the position of a part time desk attendant. If you are interested or know of others please provide a cover letter and resume to the library.

Job Duties: This position will require training in order to have a working knowledge of the library’s automated system including but not limited to: the check in/check out procedures, registration of patrons, placing holds, payment of fines and fees and assisting patrons with the public access computers. Other duties include shelving materials, maintaining the shelves, keeping the circulation desk in order, shifting materials as assigned and repairing materials. You may be called upon to assist in processing new materials, special programming and policy enforcement. Other duties may be assigned.

Minimum requirements: A successful candidate will need to be enthusiastic, outgoing, energetic, creative, a team player and be public service oriented. One needs good communication skills, an ability to follow directions well, and have a flexible schedule. Spanish speaking and reader’s advisory skills are a plus.

Compensation: The wage is $11.05/hour plus we offer an excellent benefits package. This position will average 20 hours/week with nights and weekends scheduled and a combination of 5 hour and 8 hour shifts.

 Interested parties should submit cover letter and resume to the Ottumwa Public Library 102 W. 4^th St. Ottumwa, IA 52501 Attn: Director or via email sferrell@ottumwapubliclibrary.org The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, April 30, 2021. EOE.

Ottumwa Public Library Opens for Browsing Appointments

Dear Ottumwa Public Library Patrons,

We are excited to announce that starting tomorrow, Friday, April 9, we will be opening our doors to patrons with appointments for browsing and checking out of library materials in addition to computer use!  We are relieved to see our COVID case numbers declining in Wapello County along with more vaccines being administered, but remain alert and aware of the continued threat of the virus through the variants and especially to children and will enact safety protocols to reflect those concerns.

·        You will be asked to wear a mask in the library. Even if you have been vaccinated masks are required. Staff will be wearing masks and it is the best way we can protect each other. If you do not have one, we will provide you with a disposable one. 

·        You will be asked to use hand sanitizer upon entering the library.

·        Appointments will be limited to 5 per hour to limit the number of people in the building and to allow for social distancing between computers and those browsing our collection.  If you need to bring any children with you, they will need to remain by you and cannot wander in the building.

·        If you, or a member of your household, are sick or have you been exposed to someone with Covid-19 in the last 2 weeks, we ask that you do not come to the Library. Contact our staff about other options to get materials: 641-682-7563

All of our decisions are made with the health and safety of our patrons and staff as the number one priority.  We will continue to offer the curbside, homebound delivery, free WiFi on library grounds, as well as mobile hotspots for internet use in your home or car. All of these are in addition to our online services and programs at www.ottumwapubliclibrary.org 

We are so grateful to our community for supporting these challenging decisions and understanding that our priority is always the health and safety of our patrons and staff.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sonja Ferrell, Director

641-682-7563 ext 202

sferrell@ottumwapubliclibrary.org

 

 

Ottumwa Public Library

Browsing & Computer Appointments

Monday- Saturday 9 am-12pm & 2-5 pm

Here’s how the appointments process will work:

1. You call us at 641-682-7563 to schedule an appointment.  You will be asked if you want to browse or use the computers. 
2. We will set up a time frame for you to browse or use one of our computers.
3. You will enter the library at scheduled time through our lower entrance.
4.  You will be asked to wear a mask inside the library and use hand sanitizer upon entering.
5.  You will be allowed 60 minutes on the computer or 30 minutes to browse and check out materials.  No lounging, playing with kids computers or toys will be allowed at this time.
6. Staff will work to keep computer stations clean, but if you have concerns, sanitizer will be available.
7.  Staff will only be able to provide limited computer help in order to ensure social distancing.
8. If you, or a member of your household, are sick or have you been exposed to someone with Covid-19 in the last 2 weeks, we ask that you do not come to the Library. Contact our staff about other options to get materials: 641-682-7563

Kids Grab and Go Craft Bags

 

  Hey Kids! Swing by the library to pick up your

Children's Grab and Go Craft Bags!

Wednesday, April 7th and Wednesday April 21st from 3-4:30PM

Library staff will be in the parking lot handing out bags as you drive through. Please enter the parking lot from the 4th street entrance, and pop your trunk or open a back door so staff can safely hand off your craft bag. We're so excited to see you, but please remember to wear a mask if you would like to talk to staff. No registration required, craft bags are available while supplies last.