2020 Woodstock Public Library District Year in Review
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2020 Woodstock Public Library District Year in Review January: Materials of donated crayons, stuffies, and books from the Friends of the Library sent to Oaxaca Pueblo Library with Trustee Liz Rosen to the Pueblo Library. Hired Michael L. as Assistant Library Technician provisionally until the test can be offered by Ulster County Civil Service. Promoting streaming video resources Kanopy (5 videos a month) and Acorn TV, IndieFlix, Quello Concerts, Great Courses, and Pongalo Novela Club (1 week of all access a month). February: Report to the State for 2019 completed circulation, program attendance good. Anonymous donation of Pia Őste Alexander’s work “The White Guitar” is now happily part of our Art Collection. Using Hootsuite to get messages across social media platforms. Former Library Trustee, Esther Ratner, passed away. She served the Woodstock Community as Library Trustee for 10 years. March: Shared Floor Plans and Elevations of Tilly New Building Plan. Staff reviewed new schematics, they are excited about the spaces, impressed with the layout and the new possibilities the new spaces would provide, but concerned there are not enough public computers. Passing of Sara Smith a 30 year volunteer for the Library. Closed the Library March 17th for COVID-19 Pandemic NYLA and ALA have recommended the closure of all libraries. NYS libraries have closed. MHLS has suspended all holds and stopped deliveries. Evaluating continuation of service of on March 27th. Sent out three emails to patrons, updating what the Library is doing and providing information. Cancelled 26 programs in March. Staff are doing continuing education at home as tech allows. Pandemic Policy updated. April: Online card registration is live! Virtual Programming began including: recorded and virtual story times, virtual Qi Gong, and the Knitting group. Free Masks have been distributed by an industrious sewer via our Little Guitar Free Library. MHLS working with NYLA to ensure the Governor includes guidance on reopening libraries in plans. Discussions include when can we start sharing materials, how do we continue social distancing and open the library. Meeting the bookkeeper at the Library for bill paying. Staff are doing work and continuing education at home learning the online resources, Kanopy, Overdrive, and RB Digital. 143 Face Shields were made using laminating sleeves. These are being connected with 3D printed holders and being sent to local hospitals. Friends supporting local businesses by purchasing gift certificates for Fair Raffle. So far over $2,000 has gone to local businesses. May: MHLS has not set a date for restarting holds and deliveries. Each day we learn new information. MHLS recommending the coordinated opening of libraries, especially by county. Planning on a phased reopening, beginning with curbside and delivery lending service, then moving to appointments for resources, then later allowing patron access to the building, eventually maybe restarting in person programming. Plexi-glass barriers installed. Waiting on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Teen volunteers creating craft from home projects virtually. Universal Class
2020 Woodstock Public Library District Year in Review
free through Ulster County funding and available online for any resident. Approved Phased
Reopening Plan and Temporary safety practices.
June: Curbside service began Monday, June 22nd. Completed MHLS checklist for readiness. Staff
returning to a regular schedule and expansion of curbside hours. Meeting the bookkeeper at the
Library for bill paying. Getting checks signed and reviewed at homes. Worked to create a 2021 draft
budget with Independent Treasurer and Financial Officer. Budget reflects information gathered on
shared system cost increases, health insurance broker’s information, and current guidance on
questionable state funding sources.
July: Staff created a Walk-up Window and it is a hit. Home Delivery is very
much appreciated. We’ve added patrons and volunteers to our routes.
After MHLS restarted the holds system we have been busy with requests.
People are quick to pick-up materials. Expanded Curbside hours twice.
Duct cleaning on Wednesday, July 8th. High praise for every staff
member on their willingness to take on the risks of working with patrons.
They are working well together on solving problems and coming up with
creative solutions. Staff are still working on special projects in the library,
weeding, shifting, inventory of Local History and reorganizing Woodstock
Shelf collection. Summer Reading Program looks different this year, encouraging reading and
activities for the summer break sharing craft and learning packets. Shop the Barn, social distanced
book barn shopping for kids, families in the Summer Reading Program and locals. 89th Library Fair
cancelled.
August: Inviting patrons back in the library, with reduced occupancy, for
grab and go service and shortened computer sessions while continuing to
keep staff safe and able to complete the necessary cleaning. Influx of new
Library card/new residents noted by staff. Board approves Draft 2021
Budget for voter approval. The Library is cooperating with other Ulster
County Libraries on Summer Reading Program virtual events and
recordings while coordinating with nearby libraries on phased plans. “Pete
(the horse) is still here!” ~ child who counted down the days to come back
to the library. Shop the Barn continues. Library Trustees vote to float Bond
for New Library Building on November 2020 General Election.
September: New service available: Hoopla and stream up to six titles a
month! Patrons can choose from ebooks, audiobooks, comics, movies,
music and more. MHLS has evaluated the delivery system activity since libraries have reopened,
seeing a 43% drop in materials movement. With MHLS facing a 22% cut on State funding they have
rearranged the delivery schedule. Some libraries are only getting a few deliveries a week. Because
Woodstock is so busy we do not have a reduction, we are still getting MHLS deliveries Monday
through Friday. We have only seen a 28% drop in library borrowing (August 2020 compared to
2020 Woodstock Public Library District Year in Review
August 2019). Other libraries have reported reductions of 50-60%. Annual Financial review and
Comptrollers reports completed. Hired a new part time library clerk, Brian
McCorkle who is taking the place of Jake Eschler. Giving out Back to
School Bags with fun school supplies, swag, and bookmarks. 2021 Budget
vote and Trustee Election scheduled for Thursday October 1, 2020. New
election Chair and inspectors recruited due to COVID concerns. Trustees,
Friends, staff, and advocates work to support Bond Vote. The passing of
Elaine Hammond, a longtime resident of Woodstock, Trustee of the
Woodstock Library for 10 years, and a pleasure to work with.
October: Adjusted Monday Hours to open earlier due to increased Library
morning traffic. Virtual programming continues including: Medicare informational sessions, a
Genealogy workshop, and a teen writing workshop led by an enthusiastic 16 year old volunteer.
Halloween Journey cancelled. Labyrinth created on Library Lawn for families to interact socially
distantly. Staff are preparing archival materials for a large
digitization project. Free masks with Vote and new logo given
out. Library Bond Fact Session held virtually.
November: Installed UV treatment to the heating system. $800 installed. More HEPA room air filters
have arrived. Waiting patiently for Bond Vote results. Final results at the end of the month YES: 2123
NO: 2134 A difference of 11 votes. The Ulster County Board of
Elections has indicated that a re-count is not possible. Our Library
Trustees are reflecting on this outcome and we will share next
steps when ready. Reduced occupancy in the Library. Collecting
donations of food and personal care items for The Table of
Woodstock.
December: Reduced occupancy in the Library and reduced computer session length. Collected Toys
and Children’s books for holiday giveaways to those in need. Working with Library Board to
determine next steps for project funding.
2020 was the weirdest year I’ve worked at the Woodstock Library, also my 10th year as an
employee. We continue to do our best serving the public as safely as possible.
~ Jessica Kerr, Library Director
The purpose of the LIBRARY is to improve society by facilitating knowledge creation in the
community. ~ R. David Lankes
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