CCL finds inventive ways to provide programming

For the Hub City Times

COLBY – Colby Community Library staff is finding inventive ways to provide programming to their patrons.

“With COVID-19 precautions affecting the library world, no gatherings such as story times, crafts for kids, adult craft nights, or book clubs are being held at the Colby Community Library (CCL.) This has encouraged the CCL staff to think outside the box to continue serving patrons. Babysitter Bins, filled with books, movies, and activities, are prepared for childcare providers and daycare institutions. This allows them to enjoy educational story times at their own homes and facilities.  Home school families are encouraged to order Curriculum Caddies, centered on monthly themes, put together by CCL staff,” explained CCL Director Vicky Calmes.

The library just completed a “Bag a Backpack” program, where patrons selected a backpack to fill with boredom busters for young patients at Marshfield Medical Center, filling 90 backpacks.

Holiday Hoopla and Celebrate National Friends of the Library Month offered prize drawings for patrons checking out items from the CCL.

“The new Take and Make program at the CCL has been popular.  Each month, craft projects and instructions are packaged for children to create works of art at home.  In December, nearly 400 kits were given away to budding artists,” Calmes stated.

This month, in addition snowman and snowflake crafts, a newspaper geodesic play dome is on display.  Patrons will be provided with instructions on how to fabricate a version at home from newspapers and a few common art supplies.

“The staff and I are missing all of the programming opportunities we were so accustomed to providing to our patrons. We are trying to come up with ideas to keep people busy during the long winter months ahead,” Calmes added. “Activities like the play dome are relatively simple to construct but potentially could provide hours of creative, playtime fun.”

The CCL is open for browsing, with COVID-19 precautions in place, on Monday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Curbside pickup is available by calling 715-223-2000.