In order to ensure a safe and healthy community, the Dauphin County Library System has canceled all spring programming and outreach visits. The decision was based on guidance provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cancellations include everything scheduled throughout May.
Library staff members are currently working on other ways to bring informative and entertaining programming to the library's cardholders. Updates on remote programming will be shared on http://dcls.org and on the library's social media pages: "DCLS.PA" on Facebook, @dcls_library on Twitter, and @dcls_library on Instagram.
Community members are encouraged to visit and explore the library online at http://dcls.org. Readers may access books to read on personal computers, phones, and tablets at http://dcls.org/ebooks, and online research databases are located at http://dcls.org/databases. Readers who would like help finding e-books and e-audiobooks that fit their personal taste can request personalized book recommendations by clicking on the link to BookAdvisor on the library's website.
Online resources and programming include Hoopla's "Bonus Borrows" collection, which allows people to download titles that do not count toward the monthly borrowing limit, and Scholastic's BookFlix video story times. The library system has added more than 4,000 titles to the "Always Available Classics" and "Always Available Indie Authors" collections on OverDrive. Readers can find information about current events, recipes, lifestyle advice, and celebrity news on Flipster, an online magazine collection.
From Thursday, April 30, through Wednesday, July 29, Sync Audiobooks for Teens will give away two audiobooks per week. Books downloaded during this promotion are the reader's to keep.
"The Library in Your Home" virtual programming is available through two Facebook groups. Readers may visit the libary's Facebook page and click on "Groups" in the left sidebar to join. Adult programs include an online book club, television and film discussions, an armchair travel series, adult story times, and video tutorials for cooking and crafts. Children's programs include Born to Read and family story times, as well as STEAM activities.
Anyone in search of up-to-date information about COVID-19 may learn more about preventative measures, find symptom checkers, and read updates from the DOH by visiting http://dcls.org/coronavirus.
Dauphin County residents may apply for free online access cards by visiting http://dcls.org/getcarded. Online access may be upgraded to a full-service card by visiting any of the library system's eight locations after the libraries reopen. For answers to other questions, community members may email askalibrarian@dcls.org or visit the Ask a Librarian page from the library's homepage, http://dcls.org.
While the library system encourages members to adhere to the stay-at-home order, WiFi is still available at all eight libraries. Those in need of a connection while out on essential business can connect to the libraries' WiFi from the parking lots. The connection is not password protected, but members and internet users must agree to the terms and conditions to connect.
Library members are encouraged to keep any items they currently have checked out until the libraries reopen. Due dates will be extended during the closure. Any holds that were available for pickup at the time of closure will remain at the libraries for pickup after reopening. Updates regarding reopening will be shared on the library's website and social media pages.
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