The following is an article supplied by the Amy Eisenschink, Manitowoc Public Library Materials Manager.
Have you heard the news? Manitowoc Public Library is extremely happy to be able to open our building once again to the public!
While the building itself was closed to the public, we continued to find ways to improve and expand our services. Thanks to some generous donors, the newest addition to our collection, as you may have heard, is Memory Kits. These kits are clear backpacks filled with themed items. We have eleven of these backpacks hanging from hooks, located directly across from the First Floor elevator. Great Outdoors, Homemaker, and Handyman are a few of the themes. Not only do these kits help people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but they can also assist their caretakers. Another great way to use them is to connect multigenerational family members. These kits include ideas on how to trigger special memories of life experiences. With the help of a parent, they could be a great way for a child to connect and learn about their grandparents’ childhoods. These Memory Kits can be checked out for free for a period of three weeks.
Thanks to another generous donation, MPL now has an enhanced vision reader. This machine will be housed on the main floor and is free for patrons to use during all open hours. This user-friendly desktop machine magnifies print with amazingly high resolution. It will certainly be helpful to read small print in books, newspapers, and documents for patrons and staff alike.
For the safety of the public and library staff, the Library will adhere to diligent sanitization and safety protocols. We will continue operating at our current temporary hours (M-TH 9-6, F 9-4, S 9-1) and for the time being, we will limit our capacity to 25% (30 people in Youth Department; 60 people on First Floor). In order to allow more patrons to use the public computers, we are temporarily limiting computer time to one hour per day per person. We will require masks/face coverings that cover both a person’s mouth and nose at all times (no plastic shields) for everyone ages 2 and up. If you do not have a mask, we will gladly provide one for you, free of charge. Staff will continue to do daily cleaning and will enforce social distancing of 6 feet.
Amy Eisenschink, Manitowoc Public Library Materials Manager
While our doors are now open to our community, please note that we will continue to provide Curbside Pickup for patrons that prefer to gather their materials in this manner. And here’s some interesting news: curbside service is not going awa! Even after the threat of COVID is lifted, Manitowoc Pubic Library will continue to offer Curbside Pickup. How great is that?! No more need to run into the Library just to pick up a few holds. No more need to get out of the car during inclement weather. We’ve got you covered!
Manitowoc Public Library will also continue to provide virtual programming, which includes story-times, adult programming (like Great Decisions on Monday evenings in February and March), teen programming, virtual field trips, and more. Pick up a calendar of activities from the library, check out the library’s website (www.manitowoclibrary.org), or like our Facebook page to stay connected and informed. We will also continue to provide Grab & Go activity bags so that you can have fun being creative from the comfort of your own home with your entire family.
Additionally, we continue to provide services like printing, faxing, and photocopying for a minimal fee. And, as you know, it’s tax season. What you might not know is that we have an abundant supply of basic forms and instructions right in the foyer. Need something we don’t have? Ask one of the awesome Service Desk employees and they will gladly help you find it.
As you can see, the Library and its staff always has and always will continue to provide great services to this community. It’s our mission to promote a culture of reading and to provide access to information. Through our services we strive to foster an environment that meets the educational, recreational, and cultural needs of the community. It’s what we do!
