Fostoria library making changes

FOSTORIA — Even in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic Kaubisch Memorial Public Library — along with other area libraries — is continuing to serve patrons. "There are many great things happening at the library," Scott Scherf, director of the library, said. With the pandemic, a lot of time was dedicated to planning along with updating the collection, Scherf said. The library has been able to transfer physical programs to a digital format; as well as, adapt to the needs of patrons in house by making browsing easier with thematic book bundles and expanded displays. The library serves patrons by offering availability to patrons who feel comfortable entering the library and curbside for those who are not comfortable, he said. "We are offering zero contact interactive scavenger hunts utilizing registration, on-going passive programs such as Blind Date with a Book and Book Madness where popular book characters "battle it out" via patron voting, and Grab & Go kits that encompass a wide variety of interests such as Crafts, Language Learning, and STEAM. Also, we are in the process of planning zero contact adult programs," Scherf said. Scherf said every library is trying to figure out how to handle programming since the pandemic has pretty much squashed them. He said they are conducting touchless scavenger hunts for children. "In the near future, we will reconfigure our regular on-going programming to a safe in-person format using registration, limited spacing, and multiple days," Scherf said. The library's children's department has also put together take-home kits for crafts, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), Preschool prep, Foreign language exploration, Math, Geography and Social Studies. In addition, the young adult fiction section has moved to the fourth floor of the library and Scherf said they will begin to offer teen programming. Further upgrades will happen over the next year before being completed, encompassing new modern furniture with charging stations and gathering areas, Scherf said. For adults currently, the library will have a blind date book patrons can choose. Also, a display for the Reese Witherspoon book club and we will be doing The Book is Better display for patrons to read and compare to the movie, he said. Scherf, who took over as director in July 2020, said the adult services role was then developed to provide adult programming to meet the needs of the community and surrounding area. Other internal changes have also been made on each level of the library. Scherf said they are in the process of setting up a computer center to house 12 computer workstations with barriers on all sides of the station for virus safety concerns. There will also be a "quick computer" for patrons to check their email or print items. Scherf said the genealogy section is to also get a facelift and addition of new technology. On level three, there has been an expanded are for the library's DVD collection. New materials have been spaced out for better viewing and they are in the process of lowering shelving and opening up the space more for better aesthetics and ease of use for patrons, Scherf said. Scherf said level 5 of the library has seen quite a few changes too. "Many shelves were moved to give more space between them for browsing the collection, new STEAM items were purchased along with a new learning computer added to the area," he said. "We've been busy during the pandemic with all these changes. Patrons will be surprised if they have not been in the building since we have been back open." Kaubisch Memorial Public Library is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Currently, there are 8,200 patrons registered at the library with 81,000 items in circulation.