Since March, the COVID-19 pandemic has shut the doors of brick-and- mortar shops, eateries, and venues forcing them to shift to virtual platforms.
The same is true for the Hoboken Public Library, which in recent years has become more than a book depository. It’s a cherished hub for community engagement and programming.
“It’s been incredibly challenging,” said Executive Director Lina Podles. “This pandemic with all its social distancing requirements and the danger for people to become infected in closed spaces, it’s not conducive to having a community center.”
But the library has been offering its many programs online, helping to connect unemployed residents with job resources, and getting books and other media safely to those who request them.
The library began to prepare in February according to Podles, who started talking with staff about shifting programming online. When the pandemic hit and officially closed the building, the library already had a head start with recorded children’s storytimes.
The virtual offerings expanded with panel discussions, art classes, book clubs, concerts, and teen game nights.
Tons of free stuff
A cursory view of the library’s website shows an online calendar crammed with free daily events and classes open to the public.
The library offerings free resources for those who are now out of work like BrainFuse JobNow, which features career experts, live interview coaching, and one-to-one resume assistance.
This month, every Thursday at 1 p.m. the library will host professional career sessions with Kimberly Bueno-Shonig of KBS Consulting.
“I feel a lot of responsibility for the public and the staff,” Podles said. “I wish I could open up and say ‘everybody come back,’ but its not safe, so we are moving forward very gradually.”
One of the first steps the library took was purchasing lockers for curbside pickup. A person can request a book or DVD, and it can be waiting for them in a locker contact-free.
The service became so popular that Podles has ordered more lockers.
The library offers grab-and-go pickup where people can call ahead to reserve a book and pick it up on the Holds Shelf on the first floor to the left of the circulation desk.
Self service
They can use a self–checkout machine or the new “meeScan” app to check out materials with their smartphone by scanning the barcode.
The books are sanitized before they’re picked up, placed in a “zap bag,” and heated to up to 140 degrees to kill any virus or bacteria.
“it’s a little cumbersome, but it needs to be done,” said Podles, noting that it can cause a bit of a delay in responding to book reservation requests.
Podles estimates that the library’s digital collection is in more demand with at least a 40 percent increase compared to last year.
The library offers computer appointments to ensure social distancing and is also working to expand its Wi-Fi, so those with laptops and other devices can use the library’s Wi-Fi in Church Square Park.
Podles hopes to purchase Chromebooks for people to check out.
Podles said she looks forward to having the community gather in the library once more, but it will continue to offer at least some of its programming online.
“It is a great opportunity to reach more people,” Podles said.
Depending on popularity, the library may continue to offer grab-and-go book checkout.
For more information visit https://hobokenlibrary.org/
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