Lincoln Library working to help patrons during four-week closure

With organizations and agencies shutting down in attempts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, communities are having to navigate lost access to services.

On Sunday, both the Lincoln School District and the Lewis & Clark Library, including the Lincoln Branch, announced closures. The Lincoln School District will be closed for two weeks, and the Lincoln Library for at least four weeks.

Patricia Spencer, the Public Information Officer for Lewis & Clark Library, said, "It's going to be an impact to our patrons that rely on us not just for a social outlet but maybe for internet and social services. In many instances, the library is all they have. Libraries across the country are grappling with that. In Helena, we see about 20,000 people a month."

While the Lincoln Library has considerably fewer monthly visitors with just about 400, many more residents use other resources provided by the Library, such as the community room. With the Library closed, meetings are either being rescheduled, moved to another location, or moved online.

For students who are out of school and don't have internet access at home, the Library would have been a resource they could turn to in the past. Although the Library will continue to provide wi-fi access throughout the closure, this will require patrons have access to their own devices and access the wi-fi from outside the building.

Libraries traditionally provide additional programming for kids when school is out, such as during spring break and summer months. Without the option of in-person programs, libraries across the country are seeking opportunities to provide digital programming for those patrons that have access to internet or cell service. Children's authors like Mo Willems and Karma Wilson have granted permission to teachers and librarians for live-streamed story times of their books at no charge.

Librarians are looking at other ways to share access to at-home activities with families, such as collections of online classes, live-streamed art and science activities, and virtual museum visits.

"We're going to be using social media," said Spencer. "Scholastic announced they're making services available online for free. Our phone lines are going to be open."

The Lewis & Clark Library has already launched their first digital program, "Stay Home & Read," a community challenge to read, share reviews, and interact with other readers through the Library's Beanstack app.

Many libraries, Lincoln included, are promoting the online services available to their communities, from books to research for school projects to movies and other entertainment. Throughout the closure, vthe Lincoln Library will be available by phone and email during their regular hours to fill curbside hold requests and to help patrons access digital resources.

Other Montana libraries are finding ways to support families throughout school and library shutdowns, such as the Billings Public Library which, though closed to the public, will be providing childcare for families in healthcare.

"In a smaller community, we need to take care of one another,"

Spencer said. "Try to identify those people who might need someone to check on them and bring them materials. How do we turn the page now and help people to get the food, medication, and other resources they need?"

Spencer said the Lewis & Clark Library will continue to adapt as changes come, working to provide services to the community as possible.