The Rye Rotary Club had the first meeting of our New Year “virtually” and we welcomed Christopher Shoemaker, the Director of the Rye Free Reading Room as our Speaker. We were so impressed to hear of the numerous programs the Library was able to continue during the pandemic and the new programs they created to help our community while hunkering at home. You absolutely need to visit their website and the multitude of activities, programs and downloads for adults and children. They had 10,000 new downloads from March to May and an increase of 80% in digital users. Their digital platforms, Libby and Hoopla can be accessed on their website easily for downloads of books and audio books. They are also doing curb side pickup! You can call a librarian or put a book on hold from the website, make an appointment and they will put the book, CD or DVD outside in a brown bag for you to pick up.
The Library also has made many of their numerous programs virtual including CookBook Club and Book Group on Fridays. In addition, they have created Activity Kits for children which include arts and crafts for pick up, as well as an Outdoor Explore Back Packs you can check out for one week and includes outdoor equipment for a hike and more. The Library is also starting a “Story walk on Village Green” for families to do a fun activity outside and properly socially distanced. The Library is even lending “Mobile Hot Spots” for those of you who are traveling and need wifi on the go. Check out their Website or on August 1st make an appointment to stroll through the Library and quickly browse the collection safely!!
