EDITOR’S NOTE: On May 11, Habersham County’s two libraries began a phased-in approach to reopening. Book drop-off locations at the Clarkesville and Cornelia libraries are now open. Soon, the libraries hope to begin offering curbside service. Similar approaches are being implemented at the four other libraries in the Northeast Georgia Regional Library System in White, Rabun, and Stephens counties. Library administrators encourage the public to contact their local library locations or check library Facebook pages for updated reopening plans.
Because of COVID-19, the Habersham County libraries in Cornelia and Clarkesville had to close their doors in the middle of March. Although the buildings are locked up tight, many of the libraries’ resources are still available. Justin Haynes, the manager of Cornelia Library, explains: “During this strange time, we at the library haven’t forgotten our purpose and place in our community. We have worked hard to serve our people right where they are. Because of COVID-19, that has meant offering easily accessible virtual services, as well as going the extra mile to answer questions over the phone and on our social media platforms. Building and serving the community has remained at the forefront of our minds.”
Shawna Meers-Ernst, the manager of the Clarkesville Library, agrees: “We are engaging with our patrons online during this time. We have taken as many programs as we can to an online format. Both libraries are hosting virtual book clubs and providing children’s story times. Clarkesville is hosting children’s story times on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while Cornelia is hosting them on Mondays and Wednesdays. Clarksville has already hosted a young adult book club as well as an adult book club. We are registering patrons for digital cards so members of the community can remotely access our digital collection. Our service model is very different right now but we are still here for our patrons.”
Over the past years, the libraries have been able to offer digital and virtual resources. With the restrictions placed on libraries because of COVID-19, additional resources have been provided. Take advantage of these:
Virtual programming includes yoga classes, story times, resume tips, book clubs, and developing job skills.
Homeschool resources are available through the Georgia Historic Newspapers. This gives free access to 1.5 million newspaper pages to use with assignments in social studies, writing, and vocabulary.
eRead Kids can keep your family supplied with ebooks and audiobooks for children pre-k through fourth grade. Access is granted with your library card number and PIN.
Business skills training is available online. It’s a self-paced program that is designed to help develop business sustainable plans.
High speed WiFi access is available in the libraries’ parking lot.
For help with getting access to any of these resources, contact the local library managers: Justin Haynes at the Cornelia Library at 706-778-2635 or [email protected], and Shawna Meers-Ernst at the Clarkesville Library at [email protected]. Both managers can also be reached through Facebook messenger through the libraries’ Facebook accounts at “Cornelia Library” and “Clarkesville Library.”
Author Margie Williamson is a member of the Habersham County Library Board and the Northeast Georgia Regional Library System Board of Trustees.
