Renewed hope in 2021
The New Year is in, and we all breathe a collective sigh of relief as we put 2020 behind us. Even if nothing has actually changed overnight, we feel like it has. With a vaccine in distribution, spring on the way and the promise of hugging our friends and family again, we feel renewed hope in 2021.
As much as we want to pretend 2020 didn’t happen, it’s always wise to look back and reflect on what we’ve learned from this past year. We’ve all come out of 2020 changed in ways we never imagined, and our public library is no exception.
In 2020, we discovered the downside of our library’s role as a community center and gathering place. Realizing that it made us a vector for COVID-19 and therefore a risk to our community, we closed our doors. We stopped loaning physical materials until we had scientific data proving what could be handled safely, and how. When we learned new ways to ensure that our materials wouldn’t pose an added risk to patrons and staff, we resumed lending again – to everyone’s delight.
We learned that our buildings are only a small fraction of who we are and what we offer. Recognizing that libraries differ from retail outlets in their “stay-and-linger” use of space, we kept our doors closed but our services open. We found creative workarounds to offer nearly every normal resource and service. Materials pickup, laptop loans, expanded WiFi, print/copy/scan/fax, personal tech help and more happened curbside. Meanwhile, other services happened in the virtual sphere – ebooks, story times, shelf and new item browsing, and reading challenges. Many people discovered new favorite authors they never would have found on their own, thanks to librarians selecting likely titles for them.
We already knew how much we loved our patrons, but it really hit home when we couldn’t see them as often. While we enjoy the interactions curbside, we still miss the camaraderie of seeing people bask in their cozy “second home” and catching up with them at length in a warm space. We miss seeing kids playing together or sitting solo in an aisle, absorbed in a book. We miss hugging our “regulars” and seeing their smiles.
We especially miss the patrons we have lost during COVID-19. When we reopen our doors, there will be an empty spot in an easy chair, a public computer, a pickup shelf, and in our hearts. They felt like family to us, so we feel the loss along with the families who are grieving.
With heartfelt gratitude, we learned how much our patrons love and appreciate us in return. It means the world to us to hear how much the library has meant to you during a challenging year, how much you have learned, been able to accomplish or been able to escape because the library provided for your needs. Because despite the obstacles, we found a way to serve you.
That’s why we’re here. And we’ll always be here for you. Happy New Year!
Botetourt County Libraries
