Library and History Center Open: Virtual Programming Continues
Avalon Free Public Library Director Erin Brown is ready to greet patrons at the new check-in station on the library’s porch.
The Avalon Free Public Library and History Center bid a temporary farewell to their faithful patrons this past spring as the governor released executive orders to close amid COVID-19. And as the town slowly reopens at some sort of capacity, so too does the Library and History Center with new restrictions and virtual programming to maintain the connection so valued by patrons and visitors.
While safety measurements were being created and installed to ensure patron and staff safety and social distancing, the library released a wide array of digital programming through the summer that offered a variety of themes including digital Story Times, Monday Funday virtual programs, online book clubs, tech help videos and much more.
In addition, a Porch Pick Up option was created that allowed for patrons to request items via the website and enjoy books, movies, music and more with a contactless option. Pickups can be scheduled Monday-Friday from 10am-5:30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am-12:30pm.
The Library officially opened its doors on July 16 with additional restrictions that include a capacity limit, a limited amount of time to browse and utilize the business center, and a mask requirement. In addition to social distancing requirements, public seating and meeting rooms will not be available until further notice.
Library operating hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am-4pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-1pm. The library is closed on Wednesday, however Porch Pick Up is still available. The first hour of each day is reserved for high-risk individuals. The Avalon History Center is open Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm and Saturday from 10am-1pm.
“Our patrons have been so supportive throughout this process,” says Erin Brown, director of the Avalon Free Public Library. “We miss them and hope they are enjoying the new services we have to offer, including our expanded virtual best-selling author visits and our new curbside service. We look forward to seeing their familiar faces as we begin expanding on-site services.”
And like any other summer, the lineup for August programming does not disappoint, and remains virtual. From History Center lectures, and best-selling author presentations to LEGO Challenges, Story Time, book clubs and more, there is something every day for every interest. Below, you’ll see some of the unique programs on the queue for the month. Registration is required for many with a link on the library’s website calendar, which then will give the user a link to the program via YouTube or Zoom. For a full list of August programs, be sure to head to avalonfreelibrary.org/calendar and sign up before they fill up! #CheckItOut
Weekly Programs
Monday Fundays, 10am
Aug. 3: One Man and One Dog Comedy Show
Aug. 10: Art Journal Extravaganza
Aug. 17: Dewey the Dragon’s Puppet Show
Aug. 24: Mike Rose Magic Show
Story Time, Every Tuesday, 10am
Avalon Dune & Beach Walks, Every Wednesday, 9:30am
Weekly Lego Challenge, Every Wednesday, 10am
Highlighted Programming
Teen Tuesday: Virtual Animation
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 11am
Participants will use free open-source animation software and learn to create several different animations in the traditional style of animation. The event will be prerecorded so participants can play/pause at their own pace.
History Center Lecture: The Roaring Twenties
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 6pm
From music to drinks, fashion to fads, the ’20s roared with a style that could not be ignored. Journey to a time long ago … and not so different from our own.
Summer Author Series
An Evening with Paul Offit
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 7pm
Paul A. Offit, M.D., director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, has written a number of books on health topics and will be discussing his latest title, “Overkill: When Modern Medicine Goes Too Far.” It examines 15 situations in modern medicine where abundant scientific evidence shows that we should not be doing something but do it anyway.
An Evening with Mary Kay Andrews
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 7pm
Mary Kay Andrews is the New York Times best-selling author of 24 novels including “The Weekenders,” “Beach Town,” “Summer Rental,” and her latest, “Hello, Summer.”
An Evening with Ann Napolitano
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7pm
Ann Napolitano is the New York Times bestselling author of “Dear Edward,” following a young boy who must learn to go on after surviving a tragedy.
