Holmes libraries quieter but still open and active
The Holmes County District Public Library’s main branch in Millersburg, where Savannah Stevens is behind the desk, is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Books, movies and games are in their places at one local building, waiting for residents to join them.
The building in Millersburg, the Holmes County District Public Library, is a little bit quiet now with people being cautious about the pandemic.
But director Paula Cicconetti said the library is offering services, though in a different fashion. “We had to change,” she said. “Some libraries didn’t have adequate staffing. We have had a few retire.”
But there are 22 people on staff, and the hours remain the same.
“Traffic has been tremendously reduced,” Cicconetti said.
A big part of what has happened is the library is not offering certain programs. Story time had been offered two days a week. This meant there would be a higher daily attendance from residents, Cicconetti said.
But book usage has increased from last year, Cicconetti said. People can use the Ohio Digital Library.
This means people can get books on a Kindle, tablet or smart phone, Cicconetti said.
This may not be the preferred way for people to get books, but the service is still there.
Cicconetti and other staff members haven’t conversed with locals much about their concerns about the pandemic. Mostly, people keep their distance and use a grab and go method, she said.
“It’s the mindset. People will not linger as they would in good times,” Cicconetti said.
People can find what books or other services are available using a catalogue.
Before the pandemic kids would come and use Legos.
“It was a hangout,” Cicconetti said. “Kids explore.”
The system at local schools has changed with the pandemic. West Holmes School District is using a blended learning system, and kids are in classes two days a week. At East Holmes it is a system of five days personal learning.
East Holmes superintendent Erik Beun said in November that the district was staying the course, even though there had been some incidents of harm from the pandemic.
Officials at West Holmes announced there would be remote learning Nov. 19.
In spite of these difficulties, kids still want to read, Cicconetti said.
The library uses a consortium of libraries that share their resources on desired titles, Cicconetti said. People can request a title, then receive it if it is out of stock at their home library.
The library has limited computer use to one hour a day. WiFi also is accessible from the library parking lot, Cicconetti said.
The library has an active bookmobile system. That vehicle will go to various stops, and people can pick up books they have asked for. A schedule for the bookmobile is on the library website.
Library hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The HCDPL East Branch, 4877 Olde Pump St., Walnut Creek, is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-8 p.m.