Treat Memorial Library offers curbside, announces summer reading program, more

LIVERMORE FALLS — Treat Memorial Library begins curbside pickup for materials on June 3.
The library is making every effort to prevent the library from becoming a source of transmission for COVID-19. Library officials stress that everyone’s cooperation and patience is needed and greatly appreciated.
In order to check out materials through curbside observe the following:
* There is no in-person contact. No one but staff may enter the building.
* Materials may be requested/reserved by telephone 207-897-3631, email treatdirector@treat.lib.me.us or online through the library’s catalog at treat.biblionix.com [1] by logging into your account. Phone and email requests need to be as specific as possible regarding selection of materials. The library anticipates a rush at first, and vague requests will be the last to get filled. There will be a limit of five items per account, which may change later.
* Once staff has pulled and checked out the requested materials, a staff member will call to set up an appointment for pickup. Pickup will be by appointment only.. Appointments will be set in 15 minute increments. If for any reason you are unable to keep your appointment, call the library to reschedule. Let staff know who will be picking up the materials.
* Patrons in cars: Park in the library’s front parking area. Remain in your car. Upon arrival, if you have a cellphone, call the library to alert staff. Have your library card ready to show through your closed window to the staff member to verify that you are authorized to pick up materials. Have trunk open for the staff member to place the materials in. Remember, no in-person contact.
* Walking patrons:Take note of the markings on the walkway indicating six-foot increments and stand at least six feet from the library’s door. Upon arrival, if you have a cellphone, call the library to alert the staff or knock loudly and step back six feet. You should be wearing face covering for the safety of anyone else around you. Have your library card ready to show to verify you are authorized for pickup. Staff will place the materials in the container (crate) by the front door. Do not approach this container until the library door is completely closed. Remember – no in-person contact.
* Returning materials are to be placed in the book drop. Do not attempt to hand anything to the staff member.
* Pickup is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
* Inter-library loans are not available until further notice. Also during curbside service the libary can’t offer photocopying, faxing, scanning or printing services.
* All non-resident library accounts will have the expiration date extended by 11 weeks to compensate for the time the library was shut down. Regular overdue notices resumed June 6, but no late fees will accrue until further notice.

Change to Food for Fines
For several years now June has been the library’s “Food for Fines” month, where non-perishable food was accepted instead of money. Since the library can’t do that this year, it is asking everyone to donate directly to their local food bank or pantry. Their need is greater than ever.

Online programs for all
Be sure to check out the library’s online programming on Facebook. Even though many are stay home, they can travel with the library every Tuesday at 1 p.m. with the Armchair Traveler Game. With a roll of the dice, players get a place, date, compass direction and the weather. The rest is up to the player. Let the library know where you are “traveling.”
Online story time is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Every week, library staff reads aloud from one of the library’s favorite picture books.
Being creative can be a wonderful outlet in these tough times. Join the library at 3 p.m. Thursday for Art Therapy Thursdays. Get ideas and inspiration for how to use art in positive ways.
On Friday June 5 and 12, supplies you’ll need for Crafternoons will be posted. At noon on Saturday, June 6 and 13, the library will post instructional Crafternoon video that will show how to make crafts out of some things you may have around the house.

Summer Reading Program coming up
The Summer Reading Program for 2020, “Imagine Your Story,” begins June 20. Read books, make a difference, get lost in imagination. For every book or 30 minutes of reading, the library adds to its Castle in the Clouds. One book or 30 minutes read equals one cloud.
Readers can also earn clouds for completing a summer challenge. Let’s see how many clouds we can fill the wall with this summer. The more clouds, the more the library donates to the Tri-town Ministerial Association Food Cupboard.
Summer Reading take-home kits can be requested through curbside pick-up. Take-home kits are available for kids up to 12, as well as 12 to 18. More info will be available soon about tracking reading online.
At noon on Saturday, June 20, the Summer Reading Kick-Off video will be posted, that will tell readers all they need to know about the program. At noon Saturday, June 27, the virtual escape room The Hero’s Journey will be online. At 2 p.m. on Friday, June 26, a Story Cube Writing Prompt will be posted that will help you “imagine your story,”
Call the library at 207-897-3631 with questions or for information.