The Lake County Library District is now offering expanded access to downloadable e-books and audio books via the Library2Go website and Libby app. Starting October 15, additional titles to fill holds on high demand items and other requests will be purchased monthly. Funding for additional titles is provided by Friends of Lake County Library and individual donors.
 
The Lake County Library District has offered downloadable audio books and e-books through the Oregon Digital Library Consortium’s Library2Go service since 2011. Initial check outs were strong, but plateaued around 2,250 per year. Introduction of the popular Libby app for phones and tablets in 2019 combined with the public health restrictions of the pandemic has led to an increase to 3,124 check outs during the 2019-20 fiscal year.
 
“We are happy to be able provide additional digital copies of popular titles, especially those with a high number of holds, in these challenging times” said Library Director Amy Hutchinson. “Lake County patrons will have better service thanks to Friends and individual donors.” Lake County patrons will have first priority on additional titles ordered. If desired, library patrons can sponsor a title of their choosing. E-books cost an average of about $25 per copy and audiobooks cost an average of about $60 per copy. Sponsors get priority access to the title. To sponsor a title, contact Hutchinson at the Main Library.
 
If you have questions about using the Library2Go website or the Libby app, contact your local library or use the Libby Getting Started Guide online. If you have questions about sponsoring a title, please contact Amy Hutchinson at the Main Library at 541-947-6019 or via email at amyh@lakecountylibrary.org. 

To improve the sound quality in the Main Library in Lakeview, acoustic panels will be installed over the next month. Portions of the building, including some books and the library meeting room, may be inaccessible to the public on certain days. Library staff ask for your patience with extra time required to obtain your materials and with any construction noise.  

The library meeting room is temporarily closed to public use while the acoustic panels are installed. Installation requires construction workers to use a lift inside the building. As workers install panels in different parts of the library, different sections of shelving will be closed for the safety of library patrons. Library staff recommend allowing extra time to get library materials as staff may only have access to pull holds once per day when shelves are closed for installation.

“We are very excited to have acoustic panels installed. Everyone will notice much better sound quality with less echoing, especially in the meeting room.” said Amy Hutchinson, Library Director. Funding for installation of the panels was provided by the Fred W. Fields Fund and the Jerome S. and Barbara Bischoff Library Subfund of the Oregon Community Foundation as well as the Lake County Library Endowment Fund.

​Always a favorite of our Summer Reading Program, this year the University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History is providing a virtual program and special activity packs for all three Summer Reading sites. The “Engineer It” program and activity packs explores science and engineering techniques of ancient peoples.

​For thousands of years, Native Americans have used science and engineering to create tools, homes, clothing, and more—passing this knowledge down through generations. In fact, many technologies that were invented long ago are still being used today. Through this unique virtual program, families can join us to explore artifacts designed by Oregon’s first engineers, visit with an archaeologist, and try out their own engineering skills! This program will include both a video component and an activity bag full of crafts and activities for you to take home!
 
Due to restrictions related to the Coronavirus epidemic, this performance will be online. You can watch from the comfort of your own home or  come to our regular meeting at 10:00 AM in Paisley or  2 PM in Christmas Valley, Tuesday, August 4th; or at 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 6th, 2020 in the Lakeview Main Library Meeting Room to obtain a copy of the video. Seating is limited for in-person programs, so call your local library to make a reservation. If watching from home, be sure to get your activity pack and access code at the library. For more information contact David Lev at 541-947-6019 or come to your local library!

Effective July 24, 2020, new mask rules from the State of Oregon apply to all Lake County Library locations. Face coverings or face shields are required inside all public facilities and outside wherever you cannot be at least 6 feet from people who are not members of your household. People with a disability or medical condition preventing them from wearing a mask may ask for an accommodation.

What does this mean for your library visit? Please bring a mask or face covering to wear over your mouth and nose while visiting inside Lake County Library District locations. (If you are not able to bring one, you may borrow a clean reusable or disposable one at the library.) Here's a quick overview of mask guidelines:

• Age 0 - 2: Should not be masked
• Age 2 - 4: May wear a mask if they are able to take it off themselves
• Age 5+: Masks required unless a health condition or disability makes it hard to breath when wearing a mask or impossible to wear a mask. 

If you do not wish to wear a mask, you can still do any of these things without one:

• Use Library Take Out to check out physical books, movies, or audio books.
• Use Library2Go or the Libby app to download e-books or audio books. 
• Explore our other Online Resources to find information and get answers.
• Use our WiFi outdoors with your own device when at least 6 feet from others.

Do you have a favorite song you learned when you were young? Do you like to read books? Well, does the Summer Reading Program have a program for you! Famed local musician Randy Dary will be providing a virtual performance for all Summer Reading locations called “Imagine Yourself in Song.” Randy is planning to cover many old favorites, so check out what he has prepared Be ready to sing, dance, and play some instruments!

We will be playing performances of “Imagine Yourself in Song” at our regular Summer Reading meetups at the Paisley Community Center at 10 AM on Tuesday, July 28, 2020,  and at the Main Library – Lakeview at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 30th, 2020. We will also be posting the video of his performance on the library Facebook page if you are unable to make it to our library locations. For more information contact David Lev at 541-947-6019 or come to your local library!

Last year, one of our most popular Summer Reading Program events was a play performed by the Traveling Lantern Company. This year, Traveling Lantern is offering a virtual performance at all three Summer Reading locations!
 
From their protected perch on Mount Olympus, the gods of ancient Greece spin their magic and subterfuge into fantastic landscapes while they conjure cunning exploits for the humans they choose to meddle with far below. Children become the mountains and the wind as they watch Icarus and Daedalus fly free on wax wings, help tell the story as they witness Ceyx and Alcyone’s love morph into fantasy so they can stay together for all time, and stave off evil with bravery and courage as Perseus battles the snake-headed Medusa and ultimately turns her into stone.
 
Due to restrictions related to the Coronavirus epidemic, this performance will be online. Participants can view the performance online at home at their convenience, or come to our regular meeting at 10:00 AM in Paisley or 2 PM in Christmas Valley, Tuesday, July 14th or at 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 16th, 2020 in the Lakeview Main Library Meeting Room to watch the video. If watching from home, be sure to pick up your Summer Reading To Go packet to get an access code to see the performance. For more information contact David Lev at 541-947-6019 or come to your local library!

Effective July 1, masks or face coverings are required in all indoor public locations, including all Lake County Library facilities. What does this mean for your library visit? Please bring a mask or face covering to wear over your mouth and nose while visiting inside Lake County Library District locations. (If you are not able to bring one, you may borrow a clean reusable or disposable one at the library.) Here's a quick overview of mask guidelines:

• Age 0 - 2: Exempt
• Age 3 - 11: Masks encouraged with adult supervision
• Age 12+: Masks required unless a health condition or disability makes it hard to breath when wearing a mask or impossible to wear a mask

If you do not wish to wear a mask, you can still do any of these things without one:

• Use Library Take Out to check out physical books, movies, or audio books.
• Use Library2Go or the Libby app to download e-books or audio books. 
• Explore our other Online Resources to find information and get answers.
• Use our WiFi outdoors with your own device.

Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. Please remember to be kind to library staff as we follow the rules we are given. 

​Are you ready to “Imagine Your Story” at this year’s Summer Reading Program at the Lake County Libraries? The library is excited to present every registrant in the program with a new book for their summer reading pleasure. Registration begins the week of June 21, 2020. Things will work differently in 2020 due to public health restrictions for coronavirus.
 
In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, the library has made a variety of changes to the way Summer Reading Program will work in 2020. For the program from preschool through 6th grade, there will be limited in-person seating for four to five families each session that can be reserved in advance. Other participants can pick up Summer Reading To Go packets at their local library with craft and activity supplies each week. Where possible, in-person programs will be held outdoors. Our Summer Reading Program performances this summer will either be virtual performances you can watch online or be held in outdoor venues where a 6-foot distance between families can be maintained. Program participants can use the Reader Zone app to track their reading or turn in reading logs to library staff in person or over the phone.
 
The Paisley Program, at the Community Center, will start Tuesday, June 23rd at 10 am for elementary-age (Preschool through 6th grade) kids. The North Lake Program, at the Christmas Valley Library will also start Tuesday, June 23rd at 2:00pm for Preschool through 6th grade.  The Lakeview Program, at the Main Library, Thursday, June 25th for K-6 at 10:00am and 2:00pm. Preschool story times will continue at the Main Library on Fridays at 10:30 am. All Teen Summer Reading Programs will be To Go only. Teens can register in Lakeview, Christmas Valley, or Paisley the week of June 21.
 
In our “Imagine Your Story” program this summer children will enjoy songs, games, crafts, stories, snacks, and activities around a theme of fantasy, fairy tales, and folkore. Some of our crafts and activities include having kids make their own Pool Noodle Lances, play with some Gross Fairy Snot, and leaving Giant Feet tracks around town!
Each program is nine weeks long, and gives the participants a chance to have fun with their friends while preventing the summer slide in reading skills.
 
The Summer Reading Program is supported in part by Oregon’s Ready to Read grant through the Oregon State Library. For more information contact David Lev at 541-947-6019, get information the pre-kindergarten to 6th grade program or the teen program online, or come to your local library!

Beginning Monday, May 18, 2020, Lake County Library District facilities will reopen with modifications to meet the Reopening Oregon Phase I requirements. In order to accommodate the increased cleaning requirements, library hours have been modified. Many procedures have been changed so that library patrons and staff can stay 6 feet from other people while in the library. When patrons arrive at the libraries, they may encounter a locked door and need to knock for access.  

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Why are you asking me to wear a mask?
Cloth masks do a good job of containing respiratory droplets when you speak or breathe and reducing how far they spread. (Click here to see a great video showing respiratory droplets with and without a mask.)  Since you can spread the infection before you have any symptoms and the virus is know to be spread via respiratory droplets, wearing a mask at your library protects others, especially library staff. Over 80% of staff are potentially vulnerable to serious or life-threatening outcomes if infected with this coronavirus. Additionally, wearing masks in the library protects library service. If a staff member is exposed to or tests positive for COVID-19, that library facility will likely have to be closed for at least 2 weeks while staff are quarantined or recover. Click here to read more about why masks are recommended and how they may impact transmission rates. 

Can I still use a library computer?
Public computers are still available at all library locations, but many procedures for using them have changed. To comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirements, computers have been rearranged, and some computers are not in service. You are encouraged to call your local library to make a computer reservation before coming to the library. When you arrive at the library, you will need to check in with library staff so that you can complete a computer use form and staff can ensure the computer area is disinfected before you begin. Sessions are 45 minutes in length, but may be extended by staff based on overall computer availability for high-priority items such as applying for employment or benefits, conducting personal business such as real estate transactions or insurance purchases, etc. 

Can I use the library WiFi?
WiFi access is still available at all library locations. In order to both meet Oregon Health Authority guidelines and ensure library spaces are available for as many patrons as possible, you may be asked to limit your use of a table or chair inside the library. The WiFi signal does reach outside our library buildings, and you are welcome to also use the WiFi outside. Remember to station yourself at least 6-feet apart from non-household members, or with a barrier, such as inside a car with windows rolled up.

What about printing or copies?
Printing and copies are both available either inside the library or via Library Take Out. Please ask library staff for assistance before using the printer or copier so we can make sure to follow disinfection protocols. 

Why have library hours changed? 
Oregon Health Authority guidelines call for more frequent cleaning of common surfaces. Library staff need extra time daily to ensure they can meet those guidelines before the public arrives.

Do I have to come inside to check out books or videos?
No. Library Take Out is still available. You can place holds online or via telephone and pick up your holds outside your local library. Pick up is available during all Restricted Access public hours. 

Can I catch COVID-19 from library materials?
Our current understanding is that the virus is viable, meaning it can infect others, for about 24 hours on cardboard and about 72 hours on plastic. All incoming library materials have their covers lightly cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant, and then they are quarantined for 3 days before being returned to library shelves. If you have concerns, you could also quarantine library materials at home for an additional time period before enjoying them. Click here to check out a great article from USA Today about how long the virus lasts.