BY CAMI KOONS
The Eudora Community Library will continue to offer free Wi-Fi and online books, movies, magazines and lessons while closed due to concerns of the coronavirus.
The Library closed its doors March 13 following concerns with the COVID-19 outbreak. The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department announced all public libraries, as well as schools, parks and recreational facilities would close for at least two weeks, and later issued a “Stay at Home” order until April 23.
Library Director Carol Wohlford said she and her team are working to make the library’s resources available to anyone who wants them. Wohlford said Assistant Director Alisha Whitis is working to get library cards to anyone who doesn’t already have them in order to access online materials.
“The library is doing the best we can do with where we’re at right now,” Wohlford said. “And the board has been wonderful. They are still paying employees.”
Wohlford said she thinks mothers who bring their children to library events will probably miss the physical building the most.
Tiffany Russell, a mother with three children, said she misses the library but has been watching “Singing Sarah” on Facebook. Russell said Singing Sarah was her children’s favorite library event to attend. Russell said she has also been using Hoopla, a streaming and online book service provided by the library.
“The library is so useful,” Russell said. “I’ve met so many friends and moms there. It’s such a resource to have.”
Russell also said she and her family are distancing themselves from her parents, who are over 60. She said because they can’t see each other, her parents have been video calling each night to read her three kids a book.
Wohlford said the increase in family interaction is the biggest change she has seen since the start of social distancing.
“Since we’re not in the library, I’ve noticed, in general, people are doing a lot more family-wise, building and cooking,” Wohlford said.
Wohlford said a lot of people come to the library for internet access. She said the library has made it clear that its Wi-Fi is still available on the lawn of the library or from the parking lot. She said there is no password to sign on and encourages people to come and use it when they need.
Shawna Vetter said she was lucky to run into the library before it closed to pick up some DVDs for her two children. Vetter said her internet access isn’t the fastest at home so she tries to stick to DVDs.
Not having the library has been difficult, but she said her children have been watching “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on repeat. Vetter plans to use Hoopla for supplemental material as she tries to homeschool her children.
“The library should be considered an essential place to be open, but I understand the safety concerns,” Vetter said.
Wohlford said beginning in April the library will hold virtual events such as puppet shows and singalongs. Events and videos will all be posted to the Eudora Community Library Facebook page.
Don’t have a library card? Send an email to Alisha Whitis at eudoralibrary@gmail.com for help in obtaining a virtual card.
Reach reporter Cami Koons at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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