Closed doors don’t mean closed for service

PT, Jefferson County libraries still offering online services

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As the state’s residents adjust to the reality of staying at home for an extended stretch of time, the Port Townsend and Jefferson County libraries’ doors have closed, but their staff members are still serving patrons, who can access a number of library services from the comfort of their couches and internet connections.

Staff members at both libraries are still answering phone calls from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and replying to emails.

You can contact the Port Townsend Public Library by phone at 360-385-3181 or via email at iptlibrary@cityofpt.us, and the Jefferson County Library at 360-385-6544 or information@jclibrary.info.

In addition, both libraries have a number of virtual services available online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including:

• eBooks and eAudiobooks via anytime.overdrive.com.

• Streaming video via jclib.kanopy.com.

• Searchable CLEO catalog and place-holds via cleocat.jclibrary.info/polaris.

• Research databases via ptpubliclibrary.org/library/page/databases for the Port Townsend Public Library, and jclibrary.info/research-learning/a-z-online-resources for the Jefferson County Library.

• And 24/7 wi-fi in the libraries’ respective parking lots.

Both libraries are also allowing prospective patrons to sign up for library cards online, with the Port Townsend Public Library posting a link at ptpubliclibrary.org/library/page/getting-library-card, and the Jefferson County Library’s link at jclibrary.info/use-the-library/get-a-library-card.

“Patrons are issued a temporary card number until library staff can verify the patron’s information and assign a barcode number,” said Port Townsend Public Library Director Melody Sky Eisler.

In addition, the Port Townsend Public Library will virtually host community book clubs via conference calls or video meetings, so Eisler encouraged patrons to email her at meisler@cityofpt.us to learn more and set up meetings.

Eisler added that the Port Townsend Public Library’s youth services staff hope to offer live or streaming storytimes within the next couple of weeks, and the library’s late fees are currently waived, with all materials logged as being on extended checkout.

“And the outside book donation drop is being converted into a community mask donation site to help support the Department of Emergency Management,” Eisler said.

Just as the Port Townsend Public Library offers a list of links to children’s web resources at ptpubliclibrary.org/library/page/childrens-web-resources, so too does the Jefferson County Library’s website provide subpages full of literacy and education links for kids (jclibrary.info/youth/kids) and teens (jclibrary.info/youth/teens).

In addition, Jefferson County Library Director Tamara Meredith encourages the public to check her library’s website (jclibrary.info) and Facebook page (JCLibraryPortHadlock) for links to online storytimes and training sessions on how to navigate e-resources and access e-materials.

Jefferson County Library staff members have also created some live programs for upcoming weeks that patrons can join on Zoom, including:

• Live online storytimes on Monday, March 30, and Wednesday, April 1, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

• Live online quick crafts for kids on Tuesday, March 31, from 2 to 3 p.m.

• Live online “Tech Tuesdays” class, on how to use library resources from home, on March 31 from 3 to 4 p.m.

• Live online continuation of the previously paused “Great Decisions” series, resuming with the session devoted to “U.S. Relations with the Northern Triangle,” on Thursday, April 2, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Check the Jefferson County Library’s events calendar at jclibrary.librarymarket.com/events/upcoming for links to all these live online programs and more.

And if you’re able, Eisler asks citizens to consider making a donation to the Friends of the Port Townsend Library.

“They had to cancel their March book sale due to COVID-19 concerns, and their sales funds nearly all of our library programs, like the Community Reads and summer reading program,” Eisler said.

Donations can be made online at friendsofptlibrary.org.