‘Library News’ Archives
February Library News
By CARZ NELSON For updated information on Hennepin County Library services during the Coronavirus Pandemic, visit www.hclib.org. All information is accurate as of January 15 2021. PROGRAMS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH This February HCLib is hosting virtual programs for Black history month, in partnership with the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery (MAAHMG). In addition to films that address the arts in social justice movements, there will be panels with community leaders. LIBRARY UPDATES: "Reading" by Jessie Merriam East Lake Library Grab&Go East Lake Library, located at 2727 E. Lake St., reopened on December 27. The building was damaged during the uprising and had been closed for rehab and repair. The library is now available for Grab and Go service Sunday 12-5 PM; Mon, Tues, Thurs 9 AM to 5 PM Wednesday 12-8 PM. Franklin Library 1413 E Franklin Ave., is open for computer use only. Call (612) 543-6925 to make an appointment. The building will remain locked, but staff will let you in at your appointment time. Masks are required and will be provided if you do not bring one. Because of social distancing, staff will be unable to offer computer assistance. You will have access to a desktop computer, Internet, and printing. You will need to bring your own headphones. At this time, Franklin Library is open for computer use ONLY. Other areas and services, including book/DVD checkout, are not available. Returns are accepted during staffed service hours. Franklin Computer Hours Tues & Weds ”“ 9 AM to 5 PM Thursday ”“ Noon to 8 PM Friday & Sat ”“ 9 AM to 5 PM Sunday & Monday ”“ Closed Grab & Go Library Service at Hosmer Library Hosmer Library, 347 E 36 th St., is open for retrieving holds, limited browsing of materials, checking out items, returning [...]
What”™s Up at Your Community Libraries
By LINDSEY FENNER Hennepin County Libraries are reopening with limited in-person services. For Updated information on Hennepin County Library (HCL) services during the Coronavirus Pandemic, visit www.hclib.org. All information is accurate as of July 15, 2020 Library Updates: As of Tuesday, July 14, Franklin Library is open for computer use! Call 612-543-6925 to make an appointment. The building will remain locked, but staff will let you in at your appointment time. Masks are required and will be provided if you don”™t bring one. You will need to bring your own headphones. At this time, Franklin Library is open for computer use ONLY. Other areas and services, including book/DVD check-out, are not available. They will be accepting returns during staffed service hours. Franklin Library Computer Hours Tuesday & Wednesday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday 12-7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday & Monday ”“ closed Franklin Library meal pick-up for youth, Thursdays, Noon-2 p.m. For ages 18 and under. Pick up a week worth of free meals. Caregivers can pick up meals for youth who are not present. Meals include: sandwiches, milk, fruit, vegetable, and snack. Curbside Pick Up Library Service at Hosmer Library: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All East Lake Library patrons will have the default pickup location of their holds changed to Hosmer Library. Place an item on hold through the Library website, wait for notification that the item is ready, then call the Library when you are ready to come pick items up. Hosmer Library: 612-543-6900 Physical Materials: Due dates for physical materials continue to be automatically extended. You are not required to return materials at this time. Libraries are accepting returns during staffed service hours only. Items will be removed from your account after a three day quarantine. Grab and Go Library Service: [...]
Community Libraries
By Lindsey Fenner As of May 21, all HN Cty libraries are still closed to the public, although there are 8 locations currently doing curbside pick-up for requested materials. Please do not return library materials at this time. Library workers have been advocating for returns to be delayed until a safe process can been developed. With the end of the MN Stay At Home order, HN Cty is currently working on tentative plan to bring back more library services to 4-6 libraries by mid-June, but it is not clear what those services will be or which libraries will be selected to provide those services. In addition, about 100 frontline library workers are still not being allowed to work or have any input in reopening planning. But whatever library services resume will look nothing like the community library you remember. The Coronavirus pandemic is having a serious financial impact on local gov”™t, and HN Cty Commissioners are having discussions about what the future will look like. This might include significant budget cuts, permanent staff layoffs, and the closure of buildings. Call or email District 4 Commissioner Angela Conley to let her know that you value libraries and library workers. 612-348-7884 angela.conley@hennepin.us All HN Cty Libraries are closed to public. For Updated information on HN Cty Library services during the Coronavirus Pandemic, www.hclib.org. All information is accurate as of May 21, 2020 Ask Us: Have a reference or library account question? Call, text, chat with, or email a library worker https://www.hclib.org/contactCall 612-543-KNOW (5669) to reach library staff by phone.Monday-Thursday 9 am ”“ 9 pmFriday-Saturday 9 am. ”“ 5 pmSunday noon ”“ 5 pmEspañol/Spanish:Llame o envie un texto al 651-503-8013 para recibir ayuda en español.Hmoob/Hmong:Hu losis text rau lub tsev nyeem ntawv ntawm 612-385-0886 txais kev pab hais lus Hmoob.Soomaali/Somali:Caawimaad Soomaali ah, soo wac ama qoraal (text) usoo dir [...]
What”™s Up at Your Community Libraries
Photo: PATRICK LARKIN By Lindsey Fenner On April 5, Hennepin County Library locked out around 311 County workers, including about 220 library workers. Most workers locked out are library specialists, who are among the lowest paid County workers. Library specialists usually provide the support functions that make libraries run, and had been working hard supporting remote library services since the libraries closed in mid-March. AFSCME Local 2822, which represents all but one of the locked-out workers, has filed a class action grievance against the lockout action by Hennepin County. Starting April 13, Hennepin County Library started offering curbside holds pick up at 8 library locations, including at East Lake Library. Library workers have raised public health and worker safety concerns about providing this non-essential service, especially as the County decided to make recall to these high-risk locations involuntary, over the protest of Local 2822. (Curbside service has provided paid work for only about 20 of the locked-out workers.) In addition, library workers have been raising questions about the lack of conclusive research on coronavirus transmission on library materials; the use of precious PPE and sanitizing supplies for providing a non-essential service; and the example of putting both workers and residents into unnecessary interactions with each other to provide a non-critical service during a Stay-At-Home order. Books are great, but lives are essential! Library workers ask that the community does not use Library Curbside services at this time. Instead, please take advantage of the many other remote services that Hennepin County Library is offering, and advocate for more robust remote services to bridge the digital divide! All Hennepin County Libraries are closed to public. For Updated information on Hennepin County Library services during the Coronavirus Pandemic, visit www.hclib.org. All information is accurate as of April 19, [...]
What”™s Up at Your Community Libraries
By Lindsey Fenner All Hennepin County Libraries closed on March 17 and are tentatively scheduled to reopen to the public on April 6. Please check the library website at www.hclib.org for updates, as the reopening date may change. Availability of listed services below may change. Starting March 20, ALL library staff are working from home. Hennepin County library workers fought hard to close library buildings down and keep library workers at home. This was a heartbreaking action to take; we all know how important public libraries are to the community. But frontline workers knew that it was impossible to keep libraries open or have workers in the buildings, and still keep workers and vulnerable community members safe. It was also heartbreaking because Franklin Library was scheduled to reopen on March 17 after a long renovation. Thank you to all of the community members who have advocated on behalf of library workers and patrons! We are still here (just working from home) Have a reference or library account question? Chat with, text or email a library worker https://www.hclib.org/contact Text ”˜hclib”™ to 612-400-7722 As of 3/20/2020, you are unable to reach library staff at 612-543-KNOW (5669) or library building phone numbers. We are working to have staff available to answer phones, if possible. Physical Materials: All Due Dates Have Been Extended All Holds Have Been Extended Book Returns: All library book returns were closed on March 19. There are no workers in the buildings to process them. Check the library website when they will reopen. The Library could not ensure that workers could check in and process materials safely or without using up limited sanitation and Personal Protective Equipment resources that other County Departments urgently need. Thank you for holding on to your library books for us! Library Card Information: If you need to register for a library card or access your PIN number, contact the [...]
What’s Up at Your Community Libraries
Franklin LibraryThe Franklin Library renovation is 98% complete! Look for a reopening celebration in the early spring! Seeking nature donations for a Franklin Library Teen ProgramA teen-led science and technology program at Franklin Library is looking for donated nature items. We are most interested in found animal skulls and interesting rocks you may have in your home. Please no feathers or small shells. These items will be part of a Nature Trading Program at Franklin Library, which will reopen spring 2020. Please drop off any donations to Hosmer Library: 347 E 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408 through March 2020. Coffee & Conversations (for adults)Tuesday, March 3, 10am-12pmMinneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404Join Franklin staff for free coffee and doughnuts, plus special guest performer local hip-hop artist Tufawon East Lake Library2727 E. Lake StreetW, F, Sa: 9am-5pm M, T, Th: 9am-8pm Su: 12-5pm Youth and Families Homework HelpM, T, Th: 4-7pmFree in-person tutoring for K-12 students. No advance sign-up needed. Tutors available September 16 to May 21, except on holidays and school breaks. Family StorytimeFriday March 13, 2020 Friday, March 20, 2020 Friday, March 27, 2020 Friday, April 3, 202010:15-10:45amFor children of all ages and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children. Share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Baby StorytimeFriday, March 13, 2020 Friday, March 20, 2020 Friday, March 27, 2020 Friday, April 3, 2020 11:15-11:45amFor children from birth to 24 months and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write and play together in a format especially designed for babies. Share books, stories, rhymes, music and movement. For Adults Mobile Law LibraryMonday, March 2, 2020Monday, March 16, 20202-5pmConnect with librarians from Hennepin County Law Library about legal resources and support. City of Minneapolis [...]
