Weller Public Library offers curbside pickup

WAITSBURG-If you need a good book this summer, look no further than the Weller Public Library. Librarian Rosie Warehime has gotten creative and with the help of her granddaughter/assistant, Jaidyn Brown has crafted a way to get books into readers' hands once again.

Libraries across the nation have been closed since the coronavirus pandemic emerged earlier this year. Visitors are still unable to go in the building, so Weller Public Library is now offering curbside pickup for books, complete with a new website for easy check out to get good reads out to the community.

"I saw a few other libraries starting up a curbside pickup program for their books," Warehime said. "Jaidyn came up with the idea to build a website, and she did that. It's awesome!"

It's nearly impossible to tell that http://www.wellerpubliclibrary.com was Brown's first attempt at building a website. Working with a program called Wix, she created a user-friendly page that streamlines the online checkout process.

The website features two ways to check out books. Library patrons who know their library card numbers can scroll to the 'catalog' tab, click, and enter their library card number and phone number or password. After that, you simply select the books you would like to read, hit enter, and wait for the confirmation email. Brown was able to connect the cataloging program that the library uses with the website, so users can browse all of the books that are available.

If you don't have a library card, don't worry. The website features a 'contact us' tab towards the bottom of the home page that readers can use to reserve books. Simply fill out your contact information, including the titles you would like to borrow, and wait for the confirmation email. Library cards can be issued online, just include the request with your book order. If you don't see the title you want in the catalog, send Weller Public Library an email and Warehime said she will add it to the book wishlist.

"We are still doing the book wishlist," Warehime said. "If there is a book that someone is interested in and we don't have it in the library, I can add it to the list and eventually order it."

Book pickup will be on Mondays and Thursdays, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., with Brown and Warehime placing the reserved books in bags with appropriate names and setting them in the foyer for contactless pickup. Dropoff will be just as easy, simply return the books in the usual silver bin which will be in the foyer to avoid using the return shoot. All books will be disinfected and aired out for at least 24 hours before they are returned to the shelf and available for new readers.

While the books are important, Warehime feels that activities for kids are equally important and there needed to be something in lieu of the reading program. This week, the library put together a scavenger hunt bingo game. Kids have to keep their eyes open for activities like 'someone who has ridden a horse' in order to mark their cards.

Warehime is hoping to have a different activity each week and they are currently working on the schedule.

"Last year, Jaidyn had to do the summer reading program by herself and she was really good at it," Warehime said. "I got so many compliments from parents on her program. Jaidyn has been really helpful in coming up with ideas so far."

Each week, the activities will be set out in the foyer so kids can grab them as they walk by or when they pick up their books. Warehime also said that book orders for kids will include a special treat of some sort.

The Warehime and Brown are also working on crafting kits for kids to work on throughout the summer.

"Once this gets out and people know that they can check out books on the website, and we see how many people are interested, we are going to try and do more things," Warehime said, thinking of the future. "I'm really excited that we have gotten this far."