Otsego District Public Library

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Announcements

Phased Reopening Plan

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CLICK HERE for a current draft of the Otsego District Library’s Phased Reopening Plan.

We are excited for our drive-up window to open for you, but need to have the proper safety procedures and PPE in place first. All dates, details, and services listed in this plan may change as we monitor this situation on a daily basis.

Stay safe and hopefully we will get to see you in June!

Ancestry Access – Research your Family Tree from Home!

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Temporarily access Ancestry Library Edition from home! 

Start searching billions of records and discover your family’s story. Find ancestors in the complete set of U.S. Federal Census images from 1790-1940, including name indexes. When did those significant life changing events happen in your ancestors life? Search our Vital Records to find out. Did your ancestors serve in the Military? Ancestry’s collection of military records, passenger listings, and immigration records. There is so much you can learn from Ancestry.

To access Ancestry from home you will need to contact the Otsego District Public Library at jcook@otsegolibrary.org to request a password.

UPDATE: Remote access to Ancestry Library Edition for current subscribers has been temporarily extended through December 31, 2021. Remote access will be re-evaluated monthly as needed.

Once you receive your password:

  1. Type it into the password request box below. You may be prompted to enter the password more than one time.
  2. Once the correct password is entered, the link for Ancestry access will appear below directly below, on this same screen.
  3. Click through to use and enjoy Ancestry services!
This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

COVID-19 Information and Updates

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OSHA Workplace Preparedness and Response Plan

MIOSHA COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines – Remote Work Policy

FOLLOW LIBRARY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR DETAILS

PHASE 1

SHELTER AT HOME – Public services limited to digital interactions
It is with great sadness but also hope for the health and safety of our community that we share that Otsego District Library will be closed temporarily to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We realize that this may present a hardship to some of our patrons and regret that we must close.

PHASE 2

FIRST, the Allegan County Health Department should give the okay for staff to return to work with the proper safety and social distancing procedures in place.
SECOND, the Library must have enough PPE to protect staff: infrared thermometer, hand sanitizers, soap, gloves, masks, sanitizing wipes, disinfectant spray, to last for a minimum one month, so as to provide enough time to order more as necessary.
At the all clear on both of these, the library will open to staff the following Monday after Shelter at Home is lifted or as soon as possible, as both of these steps are all clear, if delayed by either of the first two key triggers to reopen to staff.

  • The library begins to reopen Monday, June 8: Nonessential ODL Staff return to work to prepare for a drive thru pickup model
  • Staff return to building and work full hours on preparing for curbside, cleaning, organizing, projects.
  • Wednesday, June 10: Book-drop reopens and patrons may begin placing holds. All materials returned will be quarantined for 7 days. Your returns will not be checked in for four days after you return them. No fines will be accrued during the quarantine period because all check-ins will be backdated 7 days.
  • Patrons can begin placing holds during this week for drive up window to open the following week.
  • Monday, June 15: Drive Thru Pickup Window Opens (Procedure follows)

PHASE 3

  • One Week after Shelter at Home is lifted JUNE 15
  • Drive Up Window in break room opens.
  • Public Service hours at the window will be condensed from 58 to 45 hours with the following open curbside window hours:
    Monday – Friday · 10 AM – 6 PM and Sat 10 AM – 3 PM
  • Summer Reading Program and some other programs (ex: take and make crafts) will be offered through the Drive Up Window.
  • All Book Returns go in thru the Outdoor Book Drop.
  • Friends Store will be closed and donations not accepted during this phase.

PHASE 4 – CURRENT PHASE

LIBRARY OPENS IN A SOCIAL DISTANCE MODEL
When determined safe by Allegan County Health Department and enough PPE available for community and staff use:

  • Computer stations will be limited to every other station, and sanitized after each use. Time on computers will be shortened.
  • Building capacity rules will be followed, patrons may be requested to limit to one family member and masks may be requested. Patrons may receive a time limit on building use.
  • Staff will have two members on circulation desk, and all service points will continue to wear masks as long as advised to do so by state officials.
  • Some interactive areas of the library will be closed to the public: Early Literacy Center, comfortable seating, games, coffee area, etc.
  • Library use will be limited to choosing materials and picking up, study, Wi-Fi and computer use.
  • Patrons will be encouraged to take materials home to read rather than linger or meet in library.
  • All patrons will primarily use the self-checkout stations. Staff will assist as needed but materials will not be handed back and forth between patrons and staff.
  • Friends Store will be closed and donations not accepted during this phase.
  • Outdoor Book drop only. No indoor book drop use or handing materials to staff at desk.
  • Drive Up Window encouraged and continued.
  • Condensed Library Hours remain in effect.

PHASE 5

LIBRARY OPENS TO FULL SERVICE MODEL
When Determined Safe by Allegan County Health Department and Group Gathering Restrictions are lifted by State of MI. Some parts of phase five may return sooner than others.

  • Library stops quarantining returned materials
  • Friends donations are allowed again, Friends store reopens.
  • Indoor Book Drop reopens, Drive Up Window encouraged and continued.
  • Library comfortable seating and all computer stations available
  • Reading, coffee area, Early Literacy Center and other regular library usage returns.
  • Regular library programs and room rentals return
  • Regular Library Hours return.

Important Information to Know During a Library Closure

Why did/are you closed?
On Thursday, March 12, 2020 Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a mandate to close all Michigan schools grades K-12 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Whitmer also urged all Michigan residents to practice self-isolation by staying home. Otsego District Library considers the health of our patrons and staff a top priority. To help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 among the high number of residents who utilize our library locations on a daily basis, and thus increasing the risk of exposure to the rest of our community, we will comply with the Governor’s order.
 
What if I have library materials currently checked out?
****Please keep them until the library reopens.**** Due dates and holds will automatically be extended to accommodate the closure period. Due dates on MelCat items will also be extended and new requests will not be filled at this time. Please note all drop boxes will be locked and unavailable during the closure. You will not accrue any fines during this time period.
 
Will any ODL services be available during the closure period?
While our physical building is closed, ODL offers a large variety of digital options including eBooks, eAudiobooks, eVideos, eMusic and eMagazines. Learn how you can “get digital” at otsegolibrary.org/read-it.
 

COVID-19 Information & Resources

Important Michigan Notices & Information

Food Resources

The following local organizations are providing free food services for families in need.

Financial Support/Resources

Important financial support information and resources.

Internet Resources

The following internet providers are offering limited free or reduced internet for students.

Library’s Self-Checkout Machine Changes & Updates

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Image result for bibliotheca self checkoutAs you may have noticed, the library got new self-checkout machines at the end of February. We have been disappointed with the performance of these machines as well as our check in pads, and have decided to return the products and get something that works better for our community. We worked hard to quickly obtain replacements, however we want to give you a heads up that there may be a short window of interruption (a few days or a week or two – yet to be determined) between returning the ones that don’t work well and installing the replacement machines. Staff will be able to check items out for you with the barcode scanners at the desk.

The vendor for the new self-checkout machines is working to expedite our order so we will have it installed as quickly as possible.We apologize in advance for any inconvenience or wait times this may cause on busy days. We are hopeful there will only be a few days in the transition time between products. We definitely want to have products that work well for you at your library!

Thank you!!!

All Programs Cancelled Until Further Notice

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ODL Coronavirus Disease 2019 Update (COVID-19)

The Otsego District Library truly cares about our community, our patrons, and our staff.

Many of our patrons fall into the at-risk category for Coronavirus. We urge you to stay home and not visit the library if you feel sick or have any of the symptoms of Coronavirus or if you are an at-risk individual.

In light of the recommendations of Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to slow the spread, we are closely monitoring the situation and taking the preventative measures recommended, including:

  • Per recommendations to limit large group gatherings, all library programs are cancelled until further notice. Some of these events, including the Leslie Helakoski author visit, will be rescheduled to later dates.
  • We request that staff and patrons who are feeling sick stay home.
  • The community puzzle has been put away temporarily, as well as toys that are hard to sanitize in the children’s area.
  • There is a hand sanitizer station available at the entry to the library.
  • There are disinfectant wipes available to wipe down computer workstations.
  • The library will remain open during regular hours. We hope to continue to provide you with the WiFi and access to information that you need to continue your daily school and business work.
  • The library will not be disinfecting library materials (books and movies), as the CDC has declared this as ineffective. However, library staff will work diligently to clean surfaces and touch points in the library.
  • We urge patrons to check out some of the library’s digital services: Rocket Languages, and Libby!

Helpful Coronavirus information can be found at:

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. You are truly an awesome community and we will do our best to continue to serve you in the safest way possible!

Andrea Estelle
Otsego District Library Director

 

Click HERE to read the recommendation from Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

For those who are limiting their exposure by staying home but still wish to use library services, remember that ODLP offers a large variety of digital materials through Overdrive/Libby, Rocket Languages, and so many more. Click HERE for more information on digital downloads.

Sign Your Child Up For 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

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1000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN

The Otsego District Library is excited to offer 1000 Books Before Kindergarten to local preschool aged children(Established in Fall 2016), along with ten other Allegan County Libraries! ODL is leading the way on this program for Allegan County. The Allegan County Library Association has partnered with the Allegan County United Way and Volunteer Center. The Allegan County United Way and Volunteer Center has given a $7000 grant to fund supplies for the children of Allegan County for five years! Developing literacy skills begins at birth and continues through toddler and preschool years. The best way to ensure a child has the skills necessary to learn to read is having someone read aloud to them. A well written picture book is three times richer in vocabulary than conversation. Talk, sing, read, write, and play with your child to help them get ready to read. Visiting the library with your child also helps instill the excitement for reading into their life!

What does reading 1000 book look like?

  • ONE book each day for 3 years
  • TEN books each day for 2 years
  • TWENTY books each day for 1 Year

How does this program work?

Sign up at your home library and get your welcome packet and first tracking sheet. Bring back your tracking sheet after you have read your first 100 books together and get your bookmark and sticker. After each tracking sheet come back to the library for another tracking sheet. Visit the library ten times throughout the program to pick up your tracking sheets. When you have read 1000 books, return to the library for a special prize and photo opportunity/celebration. Most importantly, read for the fun of it and enjoy the time with your child!

Check out the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Apple App by the 1000 Books Foundation once you register your child at your home library.

Sign up at the library for our easy, fun, FREE, new 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers! Any child that has not started kindergarten this fall is eligible to participate. Anyone in Allegan County can sign up at their home library for this program. Tell your Allegan County friends to check their libraries for this exciting program!

Rainbow of Giving Fundraiser

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The Otsego District Public Library (ODPL) is a vital, vibrant, well-run organization that serves as a valuable resource for the community. Every day, our patrons tell us how proud they are of ODPL. Our mission is to enrich the community by connecting people with information, each other, and the world. We do this through emphasizing customer service, offering creative programming, useful technology, and building a beautiful collection relevant to community needs. You know that because you are one of the library’s 16,303 awesome patrons. Our welcoming staff does an outstanding job, and our Friends of the Library volunteers donate over 1,500 volunteer hours per year to support the library efforts.

The library team truly strives to be fiscally responsible stewards of the public funds.

Highlights include:

  • In 2016, ODPL saved the community $250,000 over a ten year span by refinancing the debt bonds, even though the library itself would see no additional funding or savings from this process to pay off the building at a better rate for the community.
  • One of the library’s strengths is its rich program offerings: every year the library puts on fantastic programs, like our local business-sponsored Winter Early Literacy Fundraisers (Candyland, Jumanji, Wonderland, Wizard of Oz), Lyrics on the Lawn, Summer Reading Program and more. All of the library programs are planned using under 3% of the library’s operating budget.
  • The library has added seven new income sources over the past seven years. We are always actively looking for ways to supplement the library’s income as well as cut costs on expenses.

ODPL is proud of the service and resources we provide the community and the library has been in good stride.

This is our tenth year in our building.

We have several specific requests for community support:

  • Add 3rd Grade Reading Booster Packs: A new collection of tutoring kits that parents and kids can checkout, designed for struggling readers, based on fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and phonics.
  • Replace Self-Checkout Machines and Tag-Readers: Our current machines are operating on an old system that is no longer supported.
  • Replace Chairs for Computer Stations: Our current chairs are worn from a decade of use and in desperate need of replacement with a cleanable fabric.
  • Add Concrete Pad & Fencing for Commercial Trash Bin: We need a receptacle area to house a commercial-size trash bin.
  • Add Current Technology: The library would also love to add increased technology offerings similar to the new features at other libraries, such as: Robotics, a Makerspace, 3D Printing, updated Teen Gaming, and Virtual Reality.

We have developed a wish list for smaller items as well. If you would like to gift the library one of our wishes, find a link to our Amazon Wishlist on our website and Facebook Page.

There is so much the library could do with additional revenue from generous community donors.

We have set a goal of fundraising $26,500 from our community supporters. These projects are outside of our regular budget parameters.

Please join with us; you will truly make a difference.

Your support will help position us to continue to provide the quality library materials and facility you love and deserve.

Please consider adding the library to you list of annual giving so that we may preserve our vision to maintain the best library around!

A donation form is found below for your convenience. You can also make a donation in person at the library, over the phone via credit card, or through the PayPal DONATE button on our website homepage. The library is a non-profit, so consult with your tax adviser because your donation is most likely tax deductible! We are happy to send you an acknowledgement receipt for your donation.

Any amount helps. If just 530 patrons gave $50 we would hit our goal. We have heard so many voice their support of the library, and we greatly thank you for your support.

“There’s no place like home!”

Andrea Estelle, Library Director 
Diane DeVries, Assistant Library Director  
Jacqueline Bennett, Board President 
Robin Rowe, Board Vice President 
Nancy Seibert, Board Secretary 
David Goodrich, Board Treasurer 
Laurie Andrus, Board Trustee 
Bart Seelye, Board Trustee

Now, if you are able, we ask for your help.
 Thank you for being a great library patron and for your support of your hometown library!

HOW TO DONATE

  • Print the attached Donation Form – Make checks payable to Otsego District Public Library and bring in or mail to: 401 Dix Street, Otsego, MI 49078
  • OR Call (269) 694-9690 to make a donation by credit card over the phone
  • OR Use the “Donate to Your Library” – PayPal to donate online.

The Wizard of Oz Fundraiser

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Related imageDuring Library Open Hours

Follow the yellow brick road to meet the Wizard of Oz in our large program room. Bring the whole family to join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, and Toto as they make their way through the land of Oz. The cost to play this family-friendly fundraiser is $1 per person or $5 per family (children 2 and under are free). Proceeds from this event will go toward new toys and literacy-based activities in the Rise & Shine Early Literacy Center.

This event is sponsored by local businesses, so please contact the library if your business would like to sponsor this event. Hopefully you will discover that “there’s no place like home!”