Virtual programs, furloughs and book drop overloads
The problem with the book drops is one of several challenges the system has faced in the past two months since its libraries temporarily closed.
At a Howard County Council meeting on May 11, Aikens said County Executive Calvin Ball’s 2% increase for the library system’s budget was less than its projected loss in revenue due to the coronavirus.
While the library system asked for a 5% increase, the 2% increase is about $429,000 — less than the $450,000, according to Aikens, in lost revenue due to the waiving of book return fines and not being able to provide passport services.
Aikens also told the council on May 11 about one-week furloughs for all 243 library system staff members. The furlough, which will save $253,000, isn’t official until the final county budget is approved, which is expected to happen Wednesday.
“While no one ever wants to furlough anyone, we understand the challenges that our community is faced with and we want to be a part of rebuilding,” Aikens said.
“We’re grateful to still have a team to serve our community.”
Through the challenges though, Aikens has been proud of the library system’s ability to offer services virtually. Howard County’s libraries have continued their online services amid the pandemic while adding others, including e-books, e-audiobooks, language learning services, education classes and other learning services for children.
“This is certainly a challenging time for everyone, but our staff has really done a remarkable job adapting to this new environment,” said Christie Lassen, the library system’s director of communications and partnerships. “They’ve pivoted very well to a virtual classroom or to different online services.”
During the pandemic, Aikens said online visits for classes are up 167%, while resources for elementary school students have increased 871% and 202% for middle and high school students, respectively.
“That shows you how hurried the community was for that content and to have ways to engage immediately with learning HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM The book drop room at the Miller Branch of the Howard County Library System is overflowed with returned books amid the pandemic.
“This is certainly a challenging time for everyone, but our staff has really done a remarkable job adapting to this new environment. They’ve pivoted very well to a virtual classroom or to different online services.”
— Christie Lassen, the library system’s director of communications and partnerships and with one another through the virtual classes,” said Aikens, who started with the library system a little more than two years ago.
“We’re very proud of the quick and successful pivot but also the community response to it.”
As the library system prepares how it can open its facilities, Lassen said it can be difficult to see what “normal looks like” during the pandemic.
“Our biggest concern is how we can provide contactless services and do that in the safest way possible for our customers and our staff,” Lassen said.
Aikens said the county is still waiting for more information and science regarding the safety of opening the libraries. She’s met virtually with library system leaders across the state and is preparing for a return that includes acquiring personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies, socially distancing in the facilities and finding spaces to quarantine materials if needed.
“Our number of visits and our circulation is extraordinarily high compared to library systems across the country, so it’s very important for us that our libraries are not a location that causes numbers in the county to rise,” Aikens said.
At a Howard County Council meeting on May 11, Aikens said County Executive Calvin Ball’s 2% increase for the library system’s budget was less than its projected loss in revenue due to the coronavirus.
While the library system asked for a 5% increase, the 2% increase is about $429,000 — less than the $450,000, according to Aikens, in lost revenue due to the waiving of book return fines and not being able to provide passport services.
Aikens also told the council on May 11 about one-week furloughs for all 243 library system staff members. The furlough, which will save $253,000, isn’t official until the final county budget is approved, which is expected to happen Wednesday.
“While no one ever wants to furlough anyone, we understand the challenges that our community is faced with and we want to be a part of rebuilding,” Aikens said.
“We’re grateful to still have a team to serve our community.”
Through the challenges though, Aikens has been proud of the library system’s ability to offer services virtually. Howard County’s libraries have continued their online services amid the pandemic while adding others, including e-books, e-audiobooks, language learning services, education classes and other learning services for children.
“This is certainly a challenging time for everyone, but our staff has really done a remarkable job adapting to this new environment,” said Christie Lassen, the library system’s director of communications and partnerships. “They’ve pivoted very well to a virtual classroom or to different online services.”
During the pandemic, Aikens said online visits for classes are up 167%, while resources for elementary school students have increased 871% and 202% for middle and high school students, respectively.
“That shows you how hurried the community was for that content and to have ways to engage immediately with learning HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM The book drop room at the Miller Branch of the Howard County Library System is overflowed with returned books amid the pandemic.
“This is certainly a challenging time for everyone, but our staff has really done a remarkable job adapting to this new environment. They’ve pivoted very well to a virtual classroom or to different online services.”
— Christie Lassen, the library system’s director of communications and partnerships and with one another through the virtual classes,” said Aikens, who started with the library system a little more than two years ago.
“We’re very proud of the quick and successful pivot but also the community response to it.”
As the library system prepares how it can open its facilities, Lassen said it can be difficult to see what “normal looks like” during the pandemic.
“Our biggest concern is how we can provide contactless services and do that in the safest way possible for our customers and our staff,” Lassen said.
Aikens said the county is still waiting for more information and science regarding the safety of opening the libraries. She’s met virtually with library system leaders across the state and is preparing for a return that includes acquiring personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies, socially distancing in the facilities and finding spaces to quarantine materials if needed.
“Our number of visits and our circulation is extraordinarily high compared to library systems across the country, so it’s very important for us that our libraries are not a location that causes numbers in the county to rise,” Aikens said.
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