After a long hiatus because of coronavirus-related health directives, in-person library programs for young people will resume soon at the Oil City, Franklin and Cooperstown public libraries.
“I am really excited and will be so happy to see our kids coming back in,” said Annie Welsh, youth services coordinator for the Oil Region Library Association that oversees all three libraries. “We’ve waited a long time.”
The libraries closed in mid-March because of the pandemic. While they expanded their virtual programs and other online services, there was no public access to the three buildings until July 6.
Starting in the first full week of October, the three libraries will begin offering on-site programs for youngsters and teenagers.
Oil City Library
The teen program, known as Loft, will be offered from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays starting Oct. 14 at the library. The sessions will feature STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), literacy and gaming activities for teenagers.
The programs, directed by Oil City Library teen services coordinator Daidre Green, are open free of charge.
“This is designed to be just fun for all around,” said Welsh. “There will be a little bit of everything.”
Story Time will start back up again Friday, Oct. 9. The programs, geared from children ages birth to six years, will be held from 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Franklin Library
The in-person programs will start Tuesday, Oct. 13. Scheduled are Wiggly Worms, open to birth to three-year-olds, at 10:30 a .m. and Busy Bees for ages three to six years at 11:15 a.m. Both sessions will be held on Tuesdays.
Lynn Lauderdale, the children’s librarian, will conduct the programs.
Cooperstown Library
Branch manager Amanda Barker will conduct the Story Time.
New policies
The virus health directives have changed some of the procedures to participate in the programs, said Welsh.
While all programs are open free of charge, advance registrations will be required at all the library branches. The sign-ups will open on Monday.
“We may have limited participation but we will look at our spacing in our libraries to see how many children we can fit,” said Welsh. “I’m hopeful we can eventually add more sections.”
The libraries are recommending that youngsters ages two years and older and teenagers wear facial masks.
“We have to make accommodations but I believe we can do this safely and responsibly,” said Welsh. “It will be so wonderful to have the children back.”
