Library Happenings - January 2021

Happy New Year, everyone!

 

Join me in looking forward to the latter part of 2021 to return to some normalcy…however you define it. At the library, that means we are planning for events to continue virtually for the next few months, with hopes that life will look a bit more like pre-pandemic style when it can be done safely. One baby step is that we filled our long-vacant Local History and Genealogy Specialist position and Christine Bowman will be glad to set up research appointments with you (330-832-9831, x350). We want our little ones back in our story times and all the fun and educational in-person programming to restart; unfortunately, that’s still not possible.

 

I recently attended a training program on managing people working remotely and negotiating the new technology that enables us to connect. One thing the presenter said made me grab my pen. From his military background, he learned that “Change without a plan is just chaos.” Change has been a constant in libraries (At least since I started here in 1979. Yes, before computers!) and planning is what we do. But no one could have planned for the disruption that comes with a pandemic. The trick for our library was turning panic into opportunity, and that’s something I’m proud that we have done well. I’m very excited for the future because so many of our new ways of doing things fit our service model and will continue even when we get back to seeing more of you in person.

 

I usually spend some time each year encouraging you all to develop a lifelong reading habit. Just 15 minutes a day of anything will total up to over 90 hours in a year and what an impressive chunk of time that is! I'll give you a pass this year on starting good new habits or even keeping up with the old ones. In fact, this is the year to do absolutely nothing productive, if it gets you through to the other side. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was gung-ho, cleaning out cabinets at home, playing the piano each day, taking language lessons, and reading a LOT. I made meal plans and cooked dinners. Now? I go home and barely keep the household running and binge watch TV series (currently, The Crown) with my husband. And do you know what? It’s totally OK for now. We each have a finite amount of mental bandwidth, and when it’s used up for the day, be gentle with yourself. All the good books will still be here, and so will we!

 

Sherie Brown, Director

 

P.S. -- Next on my "To-Be-Read" pile are several memoirs:

Nobody Will Tell You This But Me: A True (As Told to Me) Story by Bess Kalb.
An Emmy-nominated TV writer shares wisdom in the voice of her grandmother.

 

Dancing with the Octopus: a Memoir of a Crime by Debora Harding.
A true crime and family saga that deals with trauma and recovery. Recommended for those who enjoyed Educated by Tara Westover and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and I did both!

 

All locations of the Massillon Public Library will CLOSE by 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 31 and remain CLOSED on Friday, January 1.

 

 

 

 

 

All MPL locations will also be CLOSED on Monday, January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Kahoot! Trivia
January 8 - 6:00 p.m.

Test your knowledge of Marvel Movies! This online program is designed for teens but everyone is welcome to play. For more information and to register to play, contact Susan Baker at 330-832-9831, x312.

Virtual Author Visit with Ruta Sepetys
January 11 - 6:00 p.m.

Enjoy a live virtual author visit with internationally acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Ruta Sepetys via Zoom. Local librarian, counselor, educator, and author Dr. Jane Biehl will lead the discussion of Sepetys' latest book, The Fountains of Silence. To participate, contact Sherie Brown by Friday, January 8, to receive the Zoom link for this event!

Android for Beginners
January 13 - 6:00 p.m.

In this live online Zoom class hosted by our Technology Trainer, learn how to use touchscreen gestures, install apps, customize the home screen and access common settings. For more information about this program, contact the Technology Department at 330-832-9831, x344.

Anime Afternoon
January 16 - 3:30 p.m.

Teens in Grades 7 through 12 are invited to Anime Afternoon with the Massillon Public Library Young Adult Department. Join other teens to watch a new anime on the third Saturday of each month at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. Contact Susan Baker at 330-832-9831, x312 to register for this program and receive the Zoom link.

File Backup Essentials
January 21 - 6:00 p.m.

If you aren’t backing up your files, you’re in danger of losing access to irreplaceable documents and photos at any time. In this live online Zoom class, we’ll show you easy ways to back up your personal data. For more information about this program, contact the Technology Department at 330-832-9831, x344.

Mobile Privacy 101
January 27 - 6:00 p.m.

Mobile devices are convenient, but they also create many avenues for advertising and tracking. Discover how to protect your privacy while using a smartphone in this live online Zoom class. For more information about this program, contact the Technology Department at 330-832-9831, x344.