The Dell Rapids Carnegie Public Library will be opening its doors to the public on Monday, August 3rd. The opening begins Phase 2 of their plans to get back to normal operations.
“We get to open back up to the public on Monday, August 3rd. It’s going to be a little different,” said library directory Brittany Moeller.
One of the biggest changes with the Phase 2 opening is a change in hours. The library will be open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and then open from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The library will also be open from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month which will begin on September 5th.
Curbside service will continue with the Phase 2 opening. Face masks will be strongly encouraged, but not required. They will have masks available in the library. Computers will only be available for adults for non-recreational use only. The service for the books will be more of a grab and go service for now.
As the library staff gets ready for the opening on Monday, the summer reading program is coming to an end.
“It was a very interesting summer. We learned a lot of new skills. We learned how to use a GoPro, video editing, how to be comfortable in front of a camera or as comfortable as possible for us who are used to doing everything in front of an audience and having to pretend that they are there. I had a really good time though. I enjoyed being able to share my talents with the kids,” said Kinsey Griffin.
Moeller and Griffin indicated that the attendance for the summer programs, while all virtual, was still well attended and had people viewing their videos not only from Dell Rapids, but from many different locations. They said that numbers for the summer reading program were down this year, but better than expected with the situation. Moeller mentioned that when the finally tallies are complete for the reading logs, they anticipate to be close to about 400 participants.
The activities and crafts the library provided during the summer were also a success.
“We’ve gotten a lot of pictures and videos from parents of their kids. They’ve had a lot of fun with it, and it’s been fun for us to see those pictures because they are doing it, they are liking it, they’re having fun, so that’s been really fun just seeing them do the crafts or join us on our Zoom activities and getting to connect with them in that way,” said Moeller.
The library will be offering fall and winter programs starting in September, and those programs will have to be done virtually like the summer program was.
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