By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Yukon’s library will be flurry of activity this fall – with in-person and on-line programs offered to patrons of all ages.
“We’ll have very small, socially distanced programs,” said Sara Schieman, librarian at the Mabel C. Fry Public Library. “The City of Yukon policy is that we’re following CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines for social distancing.
“We don’t have a large program room, so that doesn’t allow us to have a whole lot of people in the room at the same time.”
In-person attendance is limited this fall for baby story fun, preschool story time, children’s and young adult programs, and adult reading activities at the Yukon library.
“It’s just good to see people!” Schieman added. “That’s for sure. We just really hope (COVID case) numbers will go down so that we don’t have to be so limited with in-person, closed-door activities.”
With some patrons still hesitant to come into the library, fall programs are offered online – and may be viewed later.
“There will be an in-person version and then also a recorded version,” Yukon’s head librarian reported. “All of our online programming is stored in a new resource we have through our website called ‘Niche Academy’. This is a great option for people who can’t attend our programs at the traditional times.
“For example, a parent who works and can’t make it to story time at 10 o’clock in the morning, can watch story time together with their little one in the evening before bed.”
Yukon’s library personnel have endeavored to offer quality online programming.
“My programmers have really embraced it by making the programs fun and creative,” Schieman noted.
‘HYBRID’ FORMAT
Adult fall reading programs – also offered in a “hybrid” format – run 7 p.m. Tuesdays from Sept. 7 through Oct. 5.
Some participants will attend in person while others will watch a livestream.
The first fall adult reading program event next Tuesday is titled “Outlaw Tales.”
“We’ll have author Dee Cordry here to present a history of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the bandits and outlaws that led to its inception,” Schieman previewed.
“The following Tuesday (Sept. 14) will be ‘Chicken Tales’. You want to know how to raise backyard chickens? Kyle Worthington from the Canadian County OSU Extension Office will be here to tell you!”
Other informative and entertaining programs for the library’s adult patrons will follow Sept. 21, Sept. 28 and Oct. 5.
Fall reading program participants can win prizes by logging how much they read.
They do have a monumental task if they want to best the Yukon library’s summer program readers.
“Kids read lots and lots and lots over the summer,” Schieman said. “June and July are our big months for circulation.”
During those months, participants in the “Tails and Tales” summer reading program read 350,270 minutes.
There were 673 summer readers – 178 in early literacy (birth through kindergarten), 362 children (entering grades 1-5) and 133 young adults (entering grades 6-12).
Recordings of summer programs are still available at https://my.nicheacademy.com/mabel.
Niche is where all library programs will be available for viewing afterward.
KEEPING IT SAFE
The Mabel C. Fry Public Library is gradually returning to more in-person activities.
“We’re totally open for check-out,” Schieman emphasized. “People are welcome to come and stay as long as they want while we’re open.
“Children’s computers and iPads are back out on the floor. Our public access computers also are open for the public to use. Now that school is in session, we’re seeing more people come in to study.”
Following the plan to keep Yukon library open to the public, health and safety protocols are maintained for library users and staff members:
- Returns may be made in indoor or indoor book drops.
- Masks are strongly recommended. Disposable masks are available upon request.
- Curbside pickup is offered during regular business hours.
- Entry/exit doors are open, weather permitting, to avoid physical touch.
- Social distancing guidelines (6 feet apart) are followed.
- One person only is allowed in each row of the stacks.
- Public access computers are available during operating hours.
- Anyone entering is encouraged to wash hands in the public restroom and/or use hand sanitizer provided.
The Mabel C. Fry Public Library accepts donations of books, DVDs and audiobooks. Donations of textbooks, magazines, encyclopedias, VHS and cassette tapes are not accepted.
Meanwhile, the Friends of the Mabel Fry Library will have its next book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at 510 Elm (original library building).
The Friends’ group has a “shelf sale” in the Yukon library for shopping during regular library hours.
Regular hours at Yukon’s library are: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library is closed on major holidays.
For more information, call Yukon library staff at (405) 354-8232 or visit the Mabel C. Fry Public Library website. Library patrons may register for fall programs online.
