Library Program Providers and the Pandemic
One of the things we always love when visiting libraries (back in the old days) is checking out the bulletin boards and event calendars. They’re such an awesome showcase of the talents and cares of a community. Over the course of our travels, we’ve met many people who share their skills, interests, art and craft, activities, and knowledge with library patrons. We wondered how some of them were fairing during the pandemic and decided to reach out and check with a few.
Turns out there are good things happening, and many of the folks we spoke with are continuing to conduct programs with libraries and their communities.
Our first conversation was with Randy Ross. Randy is an author and a member of the New England Indie Authors Collective. He and his fellow members have organized literary salons for some time. They have done readings, performances, and workshops on getting published and self-publishing. They’re continuing to do these events, but they’re a little different in light of the coronavirus. In-person gatherings are no longer happening, so Randy has resorted to offering his library programs through Zoom. They’re not nearly as interactive as the live events but remain popular. You can learn more about Randy and his events on the MBLC’s Performers Directory.
Ross and members of the New England Indie Authors Collective
We had a really interesting conversation with an old friend of Adam’s, David Wallace. Wallace is a former business and technology reporter for the New York Times and Reuters, and lectures on journalism at Boston University. He does a program called, “Decoding the News,” which helps people ensure they are getting accurate information and are able to recognize bias in the media. It’s a topic that’s near and dear to many hearts in these times. David not only helps library patrons develop these skills, but he also supports librarians in their efforts to improve information literacy. Dave shares our interest in libraries and strategic business consulting. His day job is with Gamechange LLC, which advises executives and business owners on transition planning.
A Decoding the News program by Wallace.
Two of our absolute favorite people in the world of libraries are Lisa Walker and Janell Scannell. They’re the founders of Pop Up Art School, a service that provides art programs - typically at public libraries - during school vacations and over the summer. Needless to say, things haven’t been typical for a while, but the pair’s talents are as in demand as ever - if not more so.
The pandemic may have put their in-person session on hold, but that’s opened the door for a host of new online programs in conjunction with public libraries. While kids were their primary audience in the past, they’ve seen a lot of interest and enthusiasm from adults. Virtual programming has also allowed the pair to expand their service area without needing to drive long distances. Pop Up Art School has found ways to maintain and expand their programming - hats off! Lisa and Janell have also produced an eBook on running a mobile art business in public libraries, you can learn more about their book here.
Before COVID, Kristin O’Donnell was a yoga instructor doing classes at her own studio and at various libraries, including Watertown. Once the library closed, O’Donnell began teaching the classes virtually for the Watertown library community, and participation remains strong. As was the case with in-person classes, her online classes have a core group of regulars that is expanded with newcomers from time-to-time. Adam went to her class on December 23 and really enjoyed the flow, and virtual library community. You can learn more about Kristin and her wellness and life coaching practices at Truth Lives Within.
Adam participating in Kristen’s December 23rd class.
The final program provider we spoke with is Monique Byrne, a Library Land Project board member, and with her husband Andy Rogovin, forms Crowes Pasture, an Americana and roots music duo. The pair have found success playing at small venues and public libraries around Massachusetts and beyond. The pandemic has effectively stopped these performances cold. They tried online, but it just didn’t feel right. Monique and Andy value the connection to the audience that comes with performing live. The audiences were often young families and older people, folks who might not have had as many opportunities to see live music - and now, they have even fewer.
Awesome update alert! Since posting this, Monique let us know that they are starting to do more online library performances and that’s is totally terrific!
Monique, and her husband Andy, perform as Crows Pasture. Photo by Jenny Bergman.
All of our work lives have been disrupted during this pandemic. It’s a mixed bag for these program providers and their library communities. For Crowes Pasture, COVID has marked an indefinite hiatus. For Pop Up Art School, it has meant a host of new opportunities. For yoga instructors, teachers, performers, and others, it is a time to get creative and try to connect in new ways. For us, our last official Library Land Project in-person activity was a presentation we did at the Faneuil Branch of the Boston Public Library. Like everyone, we’re looking forward to the day when in-person programming again becomes the norm. It’s clear that virtual programs have, in many cases, been a hit. Hopefully, successful online programs will continue after the pandemic and will expand the services libraries can provide their communities.
Now is as good a time as any to share with you, our readers, that Library Land Project is crafting a series of new virtual presentations and topics (hat tip to the various folks who suggested the idea). Our first big one will be a discussion of looking at public libraries from a patron’s perspective at Library Journal’s Winter Summit on February 23, where we’ll be presenting our updated rubric.
What fun, what memories, how much we hope for the pandemic to be behind us!