BY KATHLEEN BOLUS
Stephanie Spaid filled her car with stories Wednesday.
She left those tales in free libraries at Spring and Garfield Streets in Carbondale, the Carbondale YMCA and in Greenfield Twp.
Spaid, the Carbondale Public Library adult programming director, also dropped off boxes with the books, DVDs, large print items and audiobooks at the Ben Franklin Apartments and the North and South High Rises in Carbondale.
Spaid, the Carbondale Public Library adult programming director, distributed the stories to provide the community with an outlet while people are self-quarantining to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
“If they can’t come to the library, we’ll bring the library to them,” she said.
STEPHANIE SPAID / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Carbondale Public Library Director of Adult Programming Stephanie Spaid filled free little libraries with books Wednesday.
Spaid was inspired after the library received calls Monday from people who were upset they could not access the library and its resources. The books, DVDs, audio books and large print items from the library had either yet to be catalogued or were set to be sold, she said. She plans to continue filling the libraries and boxes while the library is closed. The library has even received a donation of items.
The Carbondale Public Library is also posting resources for parents, moderating a reading club and providing outreach to its community on Facebook. Leigh-Ann Puchalski, youth services librarian, is also sharing a different educational resource on the Facebook page, including story times and free options for virtual field trips.
“While the kids are at home their minds have to stay active,” said Puchalski. “So when they get back to school they’re ready to learn again.”
Library users also were concerned about renewing items and fines, said Spaid.
The library’s IT staff is working to extend everyone’s due date until March 30 and they have put a moratorium on all the fines, she said.
Visit Carbondale Public Library on Facebook for more details.
Contact the writer: kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114
