Carnegie Carnegie: a new day, every day

A headline such as mine usually conjures up bright beginnings. I assure you, I do not have rose-colored glasses or a magic wand. Nor do I suffer from delusions. The uncharted, uncertain terrain of covid-19 is a new experience for all of us. There is no sense of adventure or tingle of excitement about the journey we have all embarked upon together.

I can’t find humor in a pandemic. But if we pull together, we will find our way. We may even find ourselves uplifted. Even as we practice social distancing, we can forge new connections.

As I am sure you know or have surmised, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall’s lovely facility will be closed through March 29. All performances and programs are postponed or canceled as well. Projected reopenings – and so many other things – are subject to change. We, like you, are “closely monitoring the situation.”

Monitoring is part of our job. Libraries are in the information business. These are tumultuous times. Connecting patrons to trustworthy and up-to-date information, as well as to emerging community resources reflects the essence of the Library & Music Hall’s mission of service.

We are doing our best to keep our CarnegieCarnegie.org website current with information from trusted sources about covid-19. We will add information about the virus and developing resources as it becomes available. The website is available 24/7, and staff are working from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. (It’s a very big building and there are only a few of us….) Among other things, we are here to answer emails and phone calls to help connect you to a wealth of resources. We cannot provide medical advice, but we can assist you in sorting through the plethora of information out there.

Happily, many of the resources we offer have nothing to do with the coronavirus. We can connect you to downloadable entertaining and educational books, movies, music and other media to brighten these troubling times. We can provide information about voting, the census or how to engage your children while school is out and playdates are off limits. Your questions will prompt new resources.

Indeed, I would like push out this message from Allegheny County. “Voting by mail is an option in Pennsylvania. It’s an easy, convenient and secure way to cast your ballot. Apply online by 5 p.m. on April 21. You’ll receive a ballot in the mail. Mark your ballot and return it by 8 p.m. on April 28. It’s that simple. To learn more about voting by mail, visit www.AlleghenyVotes.com.”

I completed my application for a mail-in ballot yesterday. It was easy. Let’s be ready for Pennsylvania’s primary election. Call us if you need some help.

The coronavirus and the economic uncertainty that surrounds it are frightening. However, I am heartened by how resourceful people are being, and how willing they are to share information and offer assistance. Carnegie can be proud.

I believe that when this crisis is behind us, the Library & Music Hall will have forged connections that will make our programming and services more vibrant and valuable as we move forward.

In the meantime, be well.

Maggie Forbes is the executive director of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall.