Libraries strive to serve community needs amid pandemic Virtual offerings increase, Orfordville opts to stay open

MARY HOOKHAM The Independent-Register
Albertson Memorial Library Director Carolyn Seaver reads “Max’s Christmas” by Rosemary Wells for a recent storytime recording. Because of the pandemic, Storytime is posted weekly on the Albany library’s Facebook page instead of being held in person.

By Margaret Plevak, Correspondent

In a year where so much of normal life has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, even trips to the local library to browse the shelves, meet with book club members or take a youngster to storytime aren’t always possible.

The new normal is now virtual, and many libraries are focusing on technology like social media or online services to allow patrons to make the most of resources. For example, Storytime, where a librarian would read aloud to a group of children at the library, is now recorded for Facebook viewing at the Albertson Memorial Library in Albany.