Chad Clark has been with the Highland Park Library for nine years and is now the Interim Director. Our friend Jane Conway retired and moved to Tennessee this summer. Chad was excited to give us an update on the library's remodeling project. The first thing Chad wanted us to know is that the library is open for business, but you need to call ahead. The library's outreach has been limited due to the virus. The hours have changed and the library is open to about 40 people at a time for 45 minutes. All library departments then clean to prepare for the next group of patrons.
The Youth Activities Room at the library now has a flexible outlay with craft tables or computers depending on the program. Programs like the classic story time and arts and crafts now include engaging programs like coding. This all takes place in the glass enclosed room.The shelves in the children's department are lowered to allow an easier reach and now there are several nooks where a child can find a quiet spot to read and Lego tables keep youngsters occupied. Chad assured us the plaque noting Rotary's contribution to it's previous upgrade is still in place. What has Chad most excited are the 5 new conference rooms that can hold 2 - 4 or 5 people. Currently, not all of them are available because they are being used to hold quarantined books. He went on to explain that with the consortium of libraries, you may be getting the book you want to check out at Highland Park is actually coming from Northbrook or Deerfield or Lake Forest. As a precaution they have implemented a process that is used by libraries across the country - quarantining the transported books for seven days as a way to prevent any spread of the virus. There are two computer rooms - one for adults and one for children. There are 12 desktops and 20 laptops to use in-house use, as well as a 'fleet' of iPads and Chromebooks. Another room that's getting a lot of use is the digital media lab with two high powered computers with editing software, Photoshop, and a green screen. Chad said many users of the lab are creating their Etsy shop as well as video résumés. These services are open to Highland Park residents with a library card. Chad encourages users to check the website for not only the hours, but to check out the virtual events they have going on every month. They have activated the chat section of the website so you can connect with a resource librarian with any questions you may have. But you might want to download the library's app - yes, their very own app! You can get it through your smartphone market - hp library. From the app you can reserve a meeting room, scan for books, peruse e-magazines and access the research references. Pandemic or no pandemic, the library has been and will continue to be here for us - physically and virtually. |