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