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Sturm observing National Library Week

Manawa library open for browsing, curbside service available

By Ellen Connor


April 4-10 is National Library Week and the Sturm Memorial Library is celebrating by highlighting some of the programs and services it currently offers.

The library is open for inside services including browsing and computer use and continues to offer curbside service for those that aren’t ready to come inside.

The library now has two laptops that people can check out for two weeks. The laptops have web cameras and microphones to facilitate online meetings, classes or family zooms. The laptops are available on a first-come, first-served basis like all of the other materials the library has for checkout.

Another fun activity the library is offering is a group writing project called “The Pages of Manawa, Wisconsin.” The “pages” are themed notebooks that patrons can check out and contribute to. The themes include “My Covid Year,” “Sketchbook of Pets,” “I Survived: Survival Stories,” “Dreams,” “When I Grow Up” and “Words of Wisdom.”

The notebooks have seen a steady interest from patrons and several have been checked out and contributed to. The hope is to have a historical document of what people in Manawa were going through during this challenging time in history. The books have been checked out by people of all ages showing a wide range of experiences. This project will continue through 2021.

The library’s annual Adult Reading Program had a strong participation rate considering the times and some readers even braved reading books from the “pandemic” territory. (There is a lot of good pandemic fiction out there). The adult reading program will finish up Saturday, April 10, and the winners of the baskets will be announced Monday, April 12.

The library’s Zoom StoryTime started another session April 7 and will run for several weeks. Zoom StoryTime is held at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and is an engaging online program connecting preschoolers and their families with books, rhymes, music and simple games. Any families wishing to participate should call the library for the meeting code and password.

Families can also get a kit of fun stuff to use for StoryTime at home during the program. The kits have blankets and stuffed animals made by local group Creative Caring Hands and simple toys and a book provided by the library.

The pandemic has temporarily changed how libraries across the nation can serve the public, but from the beginning, libraries have found a way to serve communities and protect them at the same time.

Sturm Memorial Library is one of 380 public libraries in Wisconsin and a proud member of the Outagamie
Waupaca Library System.

All libraries in the state are operating at some capacity following guidelines put forth by the Department of Public Instruction/Division for Library Services and state and local health departments.

We all look forward to the day when expanding in person services and programs can resume. Until then, we’ll be coming up with creative and fun ways to serve our communities.

For more information on any of the library’s programs, call 920-596-2252 or visit at www.manawalibrary.org. The library also has a Facebook page.

• Ellen Connor is director of the Sturm Memorial Library in Manawa.

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