From taking pictures outdoors to scavenger hunts for online information to voting for the cutest animals, there will be fun challenges for everyone.
During the past year, the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library has served its community through curbside and at-a-distance services, including online programming, hold pickup, phone reference, take-home activities, STEM and early literacy kits, remote printing and more. But with summer coming soon and the City of Flagstaff beginning to look toward re-opening city public facilities and taking measures to make outdoor venues more accessible, the library has begun to explore community programming that can be done outdoors.
Keeping the safety of library staff and the Northern Arizona community in mind, the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library is developing a detailed, science-based approach to re-opening services to the public once more. Starting with limited computer reservations at both the downtown and East Flagstaff Community Library locations, services will gradually expand to include limited browsing for members of the public, self-checkout capabilities, research reservation slots and more. When the libraries begin to re-open and allow patrons back into the building, occupancy limits will be in place, including limited service hours and no available seating, and then eventually expanded and relaxed as the infection rate and number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff continue to decrease.
We’re also very excited to see the return of in-person storytime this summer, serving our youth and family communities in a new and engaging way. City officials are still running the numbers, keeping in mind both public attendance and individual spacing, to ensure we keep these activities socially distanced and with public health a primary focus. But in collaboration with City of Flagstaff Parks and Recreation, we’re very excited to offer outdoor Storytime this summer at a variety of city parks all around town. As these dates and locations are finalized, we’ll have more to share. Spaces will be limited as we work within occupancy limits as determined by the Flagstaff City Council.
The Summer Reading Challenge this year will encompass the theme “Tales and Tails,” and will be a fun and engaging way for community members of all ages to take part in socially distanced communal activities and events. In addition to online events and programs, fun “missions” that encompass both virtual and outdoor activities will be accessible to community members who sign up for the challenge. From taking pictures outdoors to scavenger hunts for online information to voting for the cutest animals, there will be fun challenges for everyone. Individuals will earn points as they attend library programs and activities, with a packet of prizes for those children who complete the challenge during the course of the summer. Additionally, adult participants will have the opportunity to earn raffle tickets, which can be used to enter participants into drawings for prizes generously provided by local businesses.
For those who would prefer to keep their noses buried in books, we also have you covered! Staff members are hard at work at curating detailed reading lists for Summer Reading Challenge participants of all ages, with a special focus on different age groups. From baby books to full-length novels, we’ll have different lists available for all members of our community to try to finish before the challenge comes to a close.
Interested in signing up? The Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library Summer Reading Challenge goes live the first week of June and runs through the end of July. We hope to see you soon!
Are you interested in learning more about all the services and upcoming events the library is providing? Feel free to visit our library website at flagstaffpubliclibrary.org and see the wide variety of material and programs we have to offer. Also, please be sure to give us a “like” or “follow” on social media to stay up-to-date as we move into summer; the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library can be found on Instagram (instagram.com/flagstafflibrary/), Facebook (facebook.com/flaglib), Pinterest (pinterest.com/flaglib/) and twitter (twitter.com/flaglib). Feel free to chat with us and engage with other members of our community! FBN
By Richard Tutwiler
Richard Tutwiler is the acting deputy director of city services at the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library.
