Franklin Square library ‘checks out’ patrons

Librarians call residents during pandemic

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Franklin Square librarians used to call patrons only for late payments or when something they reserved came in. But since the library closed in mid-March, the librarians have started calling active patrons just to see how they are coping during this pandemic.

“It’s making us feel good, and making them feel good,” Melinda Space, one of the clerks, said, noting that some patrons are worried when they first answer the phone that they have overdue items. But the librarians reassure them that all due dates have been pushed back as the lockdown continues, and Space said, “it’s nice to connect with them.”

She has been making her way down the list of active patrons with last names starting with the letter ‘S,’ and said she has spoken to many homebound residents, three people who have recovered from Covid-19, and a second-grade teacher who asked her if the library had any online resources she could use for her class.

“We really are trying to get to everyone,” Space said. “We don’t want anyone left out.”

She and the other librarians have been calling nearly 2,000 residents who have used the Franklin Square Public Library over the past four months, according to Library Director Aviva Kane, who decided to have the staff call its loyal patrons after she saw that The Bryant Library in Roslyn was implementing a similar program.  As of Wednesday, she said, she has made 650 calls, letting people know that the library is continuing to offer programs and services online.

It now offers Hoopla, a program that allows library-users to rent movies to livestream; digital library cards to allow patrons to access digital services; and livestreamed programs. Last week, for example, the library held a class on how to be happy when you are sad, which Kane said, “wasn’t groundbreaking, but was life-affirming.”

The library has also seen an increase in its Zumba and yoga classes, as people can shut off their webcams during class so that nobody else can see them. “Based on the numbers we’re seeing,” Space said, “this is going to change libraries.”

But the librarians are also making sure everyone is OK. The children’s librarian, for example, has been calling the “junior patrons,” Kane said, who tell her about the art projects and activities they are working on, and Kane said she has heard from several residents that they cannot wait to get out of the house and return to the library.

“It has just been so isolating,” Kane said of the pandemic. “At least they get a telephone call.”

And the patrons seem to enjoy it, Joanne Tassone, who works in circulation, noted. “They think it’s wonderful,” she said, “they want to tell us what’s going on.”

She said she has had a lot of conversations with elderly residents who are stuck at home, and even listened to a 91-year-old recount her life story. 

“I think it’s been a great thing,” she said of the library’s phone-call program. “It’s almost like calling your friends.”