We have good news! Starting July 6th, we will have outdoor weather permitting limited browsing. Holds will continue being processed using the curbside pick up procedures.
What is limited browsing? We will have 3 carts of available books for patrons to choose from. If you would like a specific book, please place holds by going online or calling (814)725-4057. Patrons will be able to look through the selection and choose books. All patrons must wear masks (unless under 2 years old or unable to wear a mask for medical reasons) and maintain social distancing while browsing.
When will limited browsing be available? Whenever the weather permits until the next stage of opening starting July 6th. If it is raining we will not be able to offer limited browsing.
Other important things of note: Summer reading will continue, please request either a registration or weekly activity packet when scheduling pick up. All items should still be returned in the book drop. We ask that no one sanitizes or microwaves books as this will cause damage.
We thank you all for the concerned messages and calls while we were closed to the public. Our doors will remained closed for awhile yet, but we will be opening for pick up only on June 15th M-F 12-5.
Placing Holds online:
If you place holds at home, using the catalog available at www.mccordlibrary.org, continue to place holds in the same manner. There is a limit of 10 items on any library card at this time. You will be informed when your items are available. Your items will not immediately available for pick up. Please follow pick up instructions.
Placing Holds by Phone:
You can also place holds by phone. Call (814)725-4057 and request up to 10 items. Your items will not immediately available for pick up. If you have a cell phone, please call our library once you have arrived. Please follow pick up instructions.
No Cell phone:
Place your holds from home by calling (814)725-4057. Your items will not immediately available for pick up. When you receive hold notice, follow the pick up instructions. Please arrive promptly during your 15 minute pick up window.
Scheduling:
When your hold items are ready for pick up a day and time will be decided upon.
Pick Up instructions:
Please have your library card or other photo ID ready. Once you arrive call the library at (814)725-4057. The items will be delivered to the curb.
Returns:
Items may only be returned in the book drop
We thank you for working with us while we try our best to serve you within the current restrictions. We will be quarantining all items that return to the library and no overdue fines will be charged during the quarantine period.
This year our summer reading program is going to look a little different.
Instead of in person programs, we are going to be holding online programs and distributing take home kits with prizes. We have fun for all ages planned.
For Children Birth to 4th grade, ask for a summer reading kit.
In order to pick up a kit, parents tell us the ages of their child(ren) and pick up the kits along with any books held. The kits are sorted by grade level.
Teens and Tweens will receive activity kits and when completed their names will be entered into a drawing at the end of the program. (see above for pick up instructions)
The adults are not going to be left out of the fun. There will be weekly drawings for adults who check out items.
We are also going to have an online scavenger hunt! Stay tuned for more.
In 2020
McCord Memorial Library will embark on a quest to earn a gold star in the PA
Forward Star Program, which focuses on five key subject areas to better serve our
community. Each point of the star makes up part of the whole.
Basic Literacy is reading and writing, the
first terms most think of when hearing the word literacy. McCord Memorial
Library (along with other Pennsylvania libraries) will be striving to achieve
one of the highest literacy rates in the country, with a better trained and
more skilled workforce. Workshops related to this would be job skills, ESL
classes, and resume help.
Information Literacy is the second subject in
this program. The focus here is to help individuals learn how to use online resources
and current technology to improve education, enhance job skills, and
participate fully in a digital society. Basic computer classes for all ages
would be a part of this area.
Civic and Social Literacy is focused on bettering the
community through civics. This aspect of the program will focus on giving
citizens of all ages the knowledge and skills they need to improve their lives,
to contribute effectively in their communities, and to participate in civil
discourse. Though a large swathe of ideas fit into this area, the big takeaway
is that civics helps make individuals better citizens.
Health Literacy is the fourth point on the
star, and is related to making informed health decisions. McCord Memorial
Library is planning to partner with other groups to help citizens actively manage
their own and their family’s well-being. We aim to make them effective partners
with their health care providers, and hopefully reducing costs. We have done
this in the past, with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) mental health
first aid training, and hope to expand to other areas.
Financial Literacy relates to more than just
balancing a checkbook. Financial literacy is gaining the knowledge to better
manage your money and assets, a useful skill for all individuals. This subject informs
consumers and guides individuals, small businesses, and other organizations to
contribute to the economic vitality of themselves and their communities.
McCord Memorial Library will be
offering programs for all ages in these key areas. We will also be partnering with
community groups to offer new and unique programs. The PA Forward Star Program will
help McCord fill in gaps in our available workshops, offerings, courses, and
programs. Simply, the program will help us figure out better ways to help our
patrons.
We
will continue to offer our regular programs, including the February Speaker
Series, Teen programming, and Children’s Story Times. McCord Memorial Library
is a part of this community. We wish all to feel welcome so that we can make
our community as a whole stronger. The PA Forward Star Program will help us
further this goal. So join us on this quest, stay tuned for future updates and
by all means, stop by and say hello!
Power Library Teen Edition POWER Teens provides online resources including full-text research e-resources, collections of photographs and documents, the statewide catalog of materials held in libraries throughout Pennsylvania, and Chat with a Librarian.
