Another Year of Summer Reading: The Covid Years

 

Another year of summer reading is over.

And it was again a different summer - but similar to last summer.

Looking back, in some ways it's easier and in some ways it's harder. 

We still don't have huge numbers of readers. And we didn't go into the schools to publicize it. But I don't think we were that far off from "normal" times.  

My library was not hosting any in person programs with the exception of an outdoor storytime (not on the library grounds.) 

The storytime was at a local park and it was great. We didn't have to limit the number of people to fit our storytime room. Children could wander a little bit. They could snack. We all enjoyed the fresh air. Everyone was happy to be there and I left every storytime feeling happy.

For the other programs, we pretty much did the same types of programs we've always done - BUT they were Take & Make bags. So no one had to be at the library at a certain time.

The bags didn't run out quickly, with the exception of the Foodie Fun bags. I think it was a little bit easier on parents because they always had crafts to pick up but they didn't have to rush to the library.

The Take & Make bags also allowed us to have more people participate in the programs.

Personally, it is a little be easier. All the Take & Make Bags come out in the beginning of the week. I'm not hosting there programs a day. It's easier to manage the desk with people taking summer vacations.

 (I actually managed two long weekends this summer - which is unheard of for a Children's Librarian). We didn't have huge crowds at the library, it was a steady but more quiet pace. 

Of course the weeks before summer, were hectic getting all the recorded programs filmed, edited, and scheduled for social media. 

Summer is always going to be stressful, busy, and challenging - just in different ways. 

Of course we missed doing the programs in person, but the library folks did had the patron interactions. The patrons missed the interactions with each other.

I honestly think after the world goes back to normal, we'll end up doing a hybrid of in person and Take & Make programs. As we always have more programming supplies than needed. Families will be able to pick up the program supplies to do at home if they couldn't make the program.

The one thing didn't really work (in terms of numbers) was performers. We had a few meet the animals over zoom. Our families are zoomed out or the timing was terrible. Either is possible. 

Our finale program was a live recording. I honestly think parents like this better. It's less stressful for parents and library folk. We give them a week to enter their earned raffle tickets into the prize packs.  It's not rushed. You're not required to be there that night. Everything is just smoother and easier. But the kids might like the excitement of that big night. However, they are more than happy to come into the library to see what they've won.

If you're in the library world, have you started talking about that yet?