Fine free policies on book checkouts are working well at the Alva Public Library. Director Sandra Ott said they have been operating fine free since the beginning of COVID-19 restrictions. Ott said the fine free policy was sent to the city attorney for review, and he said it did not need any action by the city council.

In addition, the DVD checkouts have been extended from one week to two. She said this has been helpful to patrons who also take home books. This way, the due dates are the same, which makes it easier for them to return everything on time.

The library signed up 27 new patrons in August and ten in July. This is National Library Signup Month, and the local library is encouraging children who have been using their parents’ library cards to sign up separately. Juvenile checkouts have increased, and Ott expects that to continue since the start of school usually increases those numbers.

During the library board meeting Monday afternoon, Chairman Lynn Wilt asked if patrons are complaining about not being allowed to browse in the stacks. Ott said they had some complaints with a few deciding not to patronize the library until they are allowed to find their own selections. However, several of those have accepted the situation and returned to checking out books.

Currently patrons go to the front desk where they ask for specific books or authors or a particular genre. The library employees then retrieve books so they can choose what they want. The library has some of the newest books near the desk where patrons can see them for ideas. They also have some juvenile books available there.

Ott said one benefit of the situation is that some patrons have discovered new genres or authors they’ve never tried and are now enjoying.

Board member Marilyn Clyne asked what other libraries are doing about reopening. Ott said some are opening as usual in communities with few or no positive coronavirus cases. Some in the hot spots are not open at all.

The library has always used money coming in from fines, copies and faxes to cover the costs of postage for mailing books and materials in the library loan program. They are seeing a lot less income with copies and faxes down and fines being eliminated.

Ott said they also participate in an inter-library loan program requiring a minimum of 100 books coming in and out. If they don’t meet that minimum, the library will have to pay for the service. She said the city manager has agreed if that happens, the cost can be treated like a subscription in the library’s budget.

Youth Programs

Although the library is not hosting meetings or in-person programs, they are continuing some activities for preschoolers and students. Amy Ryerson is preparing weekly activity bags for the Little Explorers. Parents of preschoolers may pick up these take home activities for their kids at the front desk.

The library staff is developing monthly activity bags for school age youngsters. Some of these will have themes like a monster bag for October. A friendship bracelet kit will be included with the November bags. The bags will include kits, games and fun ideas.

Keeping Busy

With fewer activities in the library, staff members are staying busy going through every book upstairs. Some books have not been entered properly in the computer files, and this is being corrected. Older books that aren’t being read or books that are damaged are being removed. Some will be repaired, and others will be replaced with new selections.

The juvenile library downstairs will receive the same treatment. The books are being moved into genre collections such as books about sports being grouped together. Several books are having the covers replaced.

Board Member Needed

Two seats on the library board are up for appointment. Currently Linda Joseph and Clyne fill those positions. Clyne indicated she’d like to continue; however, Joseph feels she’s devoted enough years to the board. So Mayor Kelly Parker will be looking for someone to fill that spot.