Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both Beaverton City Library (BCL) buildings continue to be closed. However, library staff are dedicated to providing services to library patrons through innovative services.
One such service is BCL To Go. This contactless service allows patrons to pick up library materials at both Beaverton City Library Main and the Murray Scholls branch. One new addition to the service is that appointments are no longer required! Patrons can drop in to pick up their items during BCL To Go hours. Book bundles have also been added. These bundles consist of four to ten books geared toward a specific reading level or interest. For more information about BCL To Go, including hours of service and a list of book bundle varieties available, visit www.BeavertonLibrary.org/BCLToGo.
The library has also given away books at programs throughout the city. In partnership with the Beaverton School District, library staff gave away 2,281 books at free lunch sites from July to August. The library also gave away 572 books from July to August through the Grab & Go program. Grab & Go books were taken out of circulation at the library, donated from residents or donated from the New Friends of the Beaverton City Library. Library staff have also helped repair a Little Free Library located near a local elementary school and currently support more than 10 other Little Free Library locations by refreshing materials.
The library also continued to provide events online, with 91 events held from July to August with 1,964 participants. Beaverton City Library Director Glenn Ferdman spoke highly of these virtual events, saying that they give relatives in other states a chance to see their younger relatives as they enjoy fun storytime events.
A patron also had this to say:
“I wanted to give some (good) feedback on the library story times you’ve been doing online. My son is three years old and an avid reader. […] He was so happy to do story time online this week! He saw the normal librarians and it was a routine activity he’s used to. At three years old, anything vaguely routine right now has been great for his mental health and reduces his stress. We were all clapping, singing and reading together as a family and he was all smiles. So in these unique times of COVID mitigations, I’d really like to thank you for getting little bits of normalcy to kids. At least for my son, he’s happier after story time every day. It’s something I hope you’re able to keep up until the stay at home order lifts.”
For more information about the library, including a list of current events, visit www.BeavertonLibrary.org.
Library Statistics
JULY TO AUGUST
CURBSIDE SERVICE
Number of appointments scheduled: 9,738
Number of items circulated at curbside: 113,255
BOOK BUNDLES
Number of categories:
Kids: 15 • Teen: 2 • Adult: 7
Number of book bundles provided:
Kids: 7,097
Teen: 32 (only added recently)
Adult: 53 (only added recently)
eContent usage: (e.g., eBooks, audiobooks, etc.) 97,237
Video usage: (e.g., storytimes, etc.)
89 videos created, with 16,494 views
BEAVERTON CITY LIBRARY
VIRTUAL EVENTS FOR ADULTS
Find the Zoom link for each event in the Web calendar at www.BeavertonLibrary.org/Events.
Book Chat Happy Hour
Tuesdays, Nov. 10 & Dec. 1 | 5-6 p.m.
Let’s talk about books! Connect virtually with fellow book lovers as we chat about what we’re currently reading and what’s in our TBR (that’s to-be-read) piles.
Online Age Cafe
Fridays, Nov. 6 & 20 and Dec. 4 & 18
11 a.m.-noon
Join the conversation! Discuss relevant topics with friends, neighbors and other members of our community. Co-sponsored by Washington County Disability, Aging & Veterans Services and Viva Village.
Pacific Wonderland Poets
Thursdays, Nov. 12 & 26 and Dec. 10
6-8 p.m.
This group is for poets, 18 and older, at any level of expertise, to meet and discuss their in-progress, original poems and provide courteous, constructive, verbal or written commentary. Facilitated by Susan Swartwout and M.L. Lyons.
Writers Group
Tuesdays, Nov. 17 & Dec. 15 | 6:30-8 p.m.
We envision this group as a space where writers can meet with a friendly, supportive community of fellow writers. Join us!
Murray Scholls Book Club
Thursdays, Nov. 5 & Dec. 3 | 10-11:15 a.m.
Nov. 5: Your Duck is My Duck by Deborah Eisenberg; Dec. 3: Chances Are by Richard Russo.
Recommended Reads
Tuesdays, Nov. 17 & Dec. 15 | 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Nov. 17: Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan; Dec. 15: Passing by Nella Larsen.
