Library Visit #3

Library Visit #3

Introduction

During the pandemic, libraries sought different avenues to reach their patrons. They wanted to stay engaged with the community. I focused on one particular library found in an article titled, “Old-School Outreach: Libraries find new value in offline engagement amid COVID-19” by Bill Furbee.  The Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska joined forces with their local radio station KBBI-AM 890, to offer a weekly hourlong radio storytime for the youth and young at heart, reminiscent of early days of radio entertainment episodes for children (pre-TV).  The Youth Services Librarian, Claudia Haines, said in the Furbee article, “It (the radio show) has presented an opportunity to both support early literacy and keep families connected.”  She also commented on the community always having geographical challenges and limited accessible roads as obstacles to accessing the library and when the pandemic struck, the challenges just increased (Furbee, 2021).

Homer, Alaska Background

Homer, Alaska is a 15 sq mile city located in the south-central portion of Alaska on the Peninsula of Kenai. It is over 200 miles south of Anchorage. The population from 2019 is 5,709 (United States Census, 2019). Homer has two elementary schools, one middle school, and a high school.  There is also an alternative school, and a charter school for options.  The area also supports homeschooling and has a local University as well. 93.8% of the population over 25, has at least a high school degree. (Census Reporter, 2019). It is apparent that education is valued in this community, and an active library supports that.  

Homer Public Library

This impressive 17,000 sq. ft library built in 2006, is located at 500 Hazel Avenue in Homer, Alaska.  During the pandemic, it creatively reached out to their community through a variety of programs including the weekly radio storytime for the youth population. I researched the Homer Public Library through their website to get a better understanding of who they are and what makes them tick.

The Homer Public Library’s website is accessed through the city of Homer’s municipal website at https://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library. It offers several public library services that I have summarized for ease.

Physical Borrowing- Over 40, 000 available resources on site (with a two-week circulation period and two renewals) including a unique Russian Language section for adults and children. Also, there are no longer late fees charged for this library to alleviate financial fears.

  • Books
  • Audio books
  • CDs
  • DVDs
  • Equipment

Access- Whether being remote, or in the library itself the community can access a variety of resources

  • Computer, Printing and Wifi capabilities
  • Databases including SLED (Statewide Library Electronic Doorway) for all Alaskans
  • Digital downloads, resources
  • IRS and other forms
  • Online ESL classes
  • Online college prep

Additional Services- Specialty services are catering to individualized needs are also available

  • Test proctoring
  • Room Rental
  • Homework help
  • Hard of hearing services (ASL support)
  • Homebound services
  • Visually impaired services

In-House Programs- Online or in-person programs designed for the community to help bring them together and inform

  • Knitting circle
  • Computer Science program for youth
  • Tech Help
  • Infant Lapsit story programs
  • Author readings
  • Book Clubs
  • Writers Workshops

KBBI AM 890 Radio/Library Programs- These local radio station programs seek to speak to the young at heart and keep the community connected

  • Thursdays weekly storytime @ 10:00 AM
  • Storytime Anytime- accessible via KBBI’s website taped stories to listen to at your leisure
  • Reading Between the Lines – led by the Friends of the Homer Library, explaining what’s going on in the library weekly (KBBI-AM 890, n.d.)

Conclusion   

While in awe of the physical space, services and creativity offered by Homer Public Library to their community, I found the website, informative and a bit understated at the same time. Perhaps this is an Alaskan thing? On the whole, it appears that the community is involved and supportive of the library as seen in the number of programs and integration in the local Alaskan daily life. The out-of the-box thinking during the pandemic, shows a hybrid old school/new school mindset that can help the all ages in community grow.

References

Census Reporter (2019) Homer, AK https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US0233140-homer-ak/

City of Homer Alaska, Library (n.d.) https://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library

Furbee, B. (June 2021), Old School Outreach: Libraries find new value in offline engagement amid COVID-19. American Libraries Vol. 52 Issue 6, p. 14-15. 2p https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2021/06/01/old-school-library-outreach/

KBBI AM- 890 (n.d.) Reading Between the Lines https://www.kbbi.org/show/reading-between-the-lines

United States Census (2019) Homer, Alaska https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?tid=ACSST5Y2019.S0101&g=1600000US0233140

2 Comments Add yours

  1. Jessica Avgolaus-Clark says:

    I love that the library used an old-school solution to reach children and the entire community during the pandemic. Also, I’m really kind of smitten with the entire town. It sounds like education is highly valued and the size and beauty of their library is a testament to that. Thank you for sharing this gem!

  2. Jasmyne M Ford says:

    The weekly radio storytime caught my eye. My students would have loved something like this and maybe even myself. Also just in general, there seems to be a well-rounded list of programs listed for every age.

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