Library Remains Closed Due to COVID-19 Virus

The Ottumwa Public Library remains closed due to the COVID-19 virus.
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April 2020 Library Board Meeting

PUBLIC NOTICE

The regular April meeting of the Ottumwa Public Library Board of Trustees will be held at 5:00 p.m., on Monday, the 13th day of April 2020 online due to the COVID 19 virus. Details are at the bottom of this agenda.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Agenda Approval

4. Minutes Approval (March 9, 2020)

5. Expenditures (March, 2020)

6. Old Business

7. New Business
   1. Update on COVID 19 and the library
   2. Director’s Annual Evaluation

8. Director’s Report

9. Staff Suggestions

10. Audience Participation

11. Adjournment

ZOOM Meeting information:

Sonja Ferrell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Ottumwa Library Board of Trustees April, 2020 Meeting

Time: Apr 13, 2020 05:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/421083022?pwd=ZnBBNmJMRjh4UXRLa2tWL3FRMm8ydz09

Meeting ID: 421 083 022

Password: 6bFl6N

Call 641-682-7563 ext. 202 with questions.

Harry Potter at Home!

Enjoy #HarryPotterAtHome! The ebook and audiobook of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (US) is available for unlimited access through our @OverDriveLibs digital collection in the month of April.

Download Libby to unlock the magic.

Library update 04-03-2020

Dear Patrons,

With Governor Reynold’s announcement yesterday to keep Iowa schools closed through April 30 and in consultation with local emergency response personnel, I am announcing that the Ottumwa Public Library will continue to be closed to the public until that time as well.  We will extend due dates on any materials you currently have checked out until May 1.

In recent days we have announced that our book clubs will meet online and Allyson is continuing to post some Music and Movement classes on our Facebook page.  We are doing our best to share resources to that page for our patrons to utilize as well.

We are constantly brainstorming how we can best serve the community in these unique times.  If you have a suggestion or idea please email me at the address below and I will do my best to see what we can do. 

We know not everyone is fortunate enough to have internet access.  Our Wi-Fi is turned on during our normal business hours and you can usually get the signal in our parking lot or on the library side of Central Park. 

In response to the situation our music vendor, Freegal, has allowed us to extend our services to 24 hour music streaming. We also have been fortunate that our Tumblebooks subscription has been expanded to include more learning games to an expanded age group for free to you at home.  It even includes some romance e-books for the grownups!

Tumblebooks is in addition to Bridges (overdrive) for e-books and audio books, RB Digital for online magazines, Freegal for downloadable music, Transparent Languages to learn a new language while at home, Novelist to get ideas on what to read next, Brainfuse for job training and resume skills learning, and Gale for a host of research resources.

If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at sferrell@ottumwapubliclibrary.org or leave me a message at 641-682-7563 ext 202 and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Thank you for your continued support and remember the sooner we all stay home the sooner we can all come out again!  Oh and wash your hands and don’t touch your face!

OPL Shutdown Update 03/26/2020

Dear Patrons,

It has been 10 days since we had to temporarily shut our doors at the Ottumwa Public Library.  While it is the responsible choice to make during this unprecedented time, it is still so difficult both for us to do.  We would all rather be at the library right now.

I don’t have a date for reopening as we continue to rely on public health officials for guidance on those decisions.  But please know we are doing our best to serve you in many ways despite the doors being shut.  

Each day at least one staff member is at the library processing new materials for us to circulate when this is over.  We empty the returns from our book drop and keep up with our bookwork.  From home, we have staff ordering new materials, planning future programs and keeping up with our social media and website to bring you ideas to share with your family while you are at home during this tough time. Check out our Facebook page today to do a Music and Movement class with our Youth Services Librarian Allyson.

We know not everyone is fortunate enough to have internet access.  Our Wi-Fi is turned on during our normal business hours and you can usually get the signal in our parking lot or on the library side of Central Park. 

We also have been fortunate that our Tumblebooks subscription has been expanded to include more learning games to an expanded age group for free to you at home.  It even includes some romance e-books for the grownups!

Tumblebooks is in addition to Bridges (overdrive) for e-books and audio books, RB Digital for online magazines, Freegal for downloadable music, Transparent Languages to learn a new language while at home, Novelist to get ideas on what to read next, Brainfuse for job training and resume skills learning, and Gale for a host of research resources.

Thank you for your continued support and remember the sooner we all stay home the sooner we can all come out again!  Oh and wash your hands!

-Sonja Ferrell, Director