FAYETTEVILLE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Like all other businesses, libraries have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fayetteville Free Library dealt with the situation like many other organizations; it turned to the popular video conferencing application called Zoom. Since patrons are unable to attend events typically hosted at the library like storytelling, book club, or science labs, these activities turned virtual. Assistant director Leah Kraus is in charge of coordinating these events, of which there can be several on any given day. Kraus said the transition to all virtual events has been a learning experience, dating back to the start of the pandemic.
“As soon as the library shut down in mid-March, we sort of said ‘how can we keep people engaged?'” Kraus said. “We knew families were at home looking for stuff to do, and looking for educational opportunities for their kids.”
The library’s schedule varies from day to day. With some events recurring, and others only happening once, there can be several Zoom calls happening at the same time. Kraus said the only technical issue that the library has run into is not having enough accounts on Zoom to host so many events. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m., the library offers virtual storytime for children and their families. This is one of the higher attended events; up to about 15 families participate in it on any given day. Kraus said the interactive nature of these Zoom calls continue to bring children and their families back.
“All of our programs are very hands-on,” said Kraus. “You know with the storytimes, they’re up, they’re dancing, they’re moving; we play games with them where they do a scavenger hunt in their house.”
The same is the case with older children. The Fayetteville Free Library offers science labs once every other Thursday called “SciExcites” where children in kindergarten through fifth grade join students from Fayetteville-Manlius High School.
“They’re doing it with their hands,” said Kraus. “They’re following along with the steps, and they’re not just watching a screen. I think that’s what the families like about it.”
Some temporary changes the Fayetteville Free Library made may become permanent. Once in-person events are able to resume, streams over Zoom will not completely go away. Kraus said that some events will be offered both in-person and virtually to suit the needs of those who may not be able to make it to the library.
