BY EMILY JOHNSON
The Eudora Community Library is finding unique and creative ways to keep running safely during the coronavirus pandemic.
In early spring when shutdowns first began, the library saw a small number of people who continued to check out items. To increase knowledge about how to still access books, the library began to post on Facebook, place flyers around Eudora and banners outside of their building.
Library Director Carol Wohlford said people can still get books, movies and other resources at the library even though they can’t go inside the building.
“It has grown greatly since the very beginning,” Wohlford said. “People are catching on, but I know they want to be able to come in and look at the shelves and participate in programming.”
With curbside becoming more common in businesses nationwide, the library is seeing more people catching on to picking books out online. If the Eudora Community Library does not have a specific book available online, it’s connected to 40 other libraries as well.
Library Assistant Director Alisha Whitis hopes the public is not afraid to use the library in a new way.
“What I hope, what we hope, is that people will want to still come check it out,” Whitis said. “And will want to still be a part of us because we really want to be a part of their lives still.”
In recent news, the library received a grant along with the Lawrence Public Library, the Baldwin Library and United Way of Douglas County for 20 computers and hot spots to be available for checkout soon. The library also has plans to offer outdoor programming and pick-up once the winter months are over.
To access curbside pickup you can go to nextkansas.org or call 785-542-2496 during curbside hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., to see what materials are available. The library hopes to open once a vaccine is made available.
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