So, we had to revamp how we do things and take the service to the community, Tolman added.

The first thing they developed was curbside pick-up, where customers could go online, look at the librarys catalog, make their selections and then pick up the items they checked out at the front doorsafe and effective. Patrons could also call into the library and staff would help them place a hold on an item. All library locations continue to be closed to in-person browsing in order to combat the pandemic. Therefore, these remote services remain key for customers until the library locations reopen for in-person service. The library has also begun offering computer reservation slots for those without computer access.

Customers check out e-books and audiobooks online, especially after the library launched Hoopla, which is an online service that also provides movies, comics, TV shows and more. With Hoopla, several customers can check out the same item at the same time; they dont have to wait for the item to be returned to the library before they can check it out.

Each year the library would hold its annual Summer Reading Challenge, to encourage youth to read each year during the summer, Tolman said. But this year, the library has experienced some of the highest numbers of youth participants in the program. The library is also experiencing more attendance in Childrens Story Time, which has gone online. Book club meetings have gone online via videoconferencing, too, and the approach has led to more participation than in-person meetings.

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Flagstaff Public Library finds new ways to reach communities during the pandemic - Arizona Daily Sun