Sharpsburg Community Library is packing in the programs, despite being open limited hours for coronavirus concerns.
The Main Street site reopened Oct. 1 after being closed to the public for nearly six months to help stem the spread of the virus.
Director Sara Mariacher said programs have hit the ground running to welcome people of all ages back through the doors. All programs will be held outdoors in the courtyard.
Coming up, there are story times, homework helpers, maker programs and make-and-take arts.
The upcoming schedule is:
• Homework Help, 4 to 5 p.m. Oct. 13. The session is for children in kindergarten through fifth-grade.
• Mini-Makers, 11:30 a.m. Oct. 14. Children in pre-kindergarten can learn leaf art with their caregivers.
• Mid-week Makers, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 15. Leaf art for elementary students will be in the courtyard.
“The hands-on maker programs generally all focus on the same theme or activity, with it being scaled up or down depending on the age of participants,” Mariacher said.
• Cereal Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Oct. 17. For pre-kindergarten and first-graders, a Halloween-themed event with the books “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” and “Room on the Broom.”
• Green Grocer, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 19. The portable market sells produce and herbs.
There are online programs as well.
On Oct. 19, Story Stream will happen at 10:30 a.m. with “Mr. Pumpkin’s Tea Party,” and the Speculative Fiction Book Club will discuss, by Zoom, the book “The Hunger” by Alma Katsu at 7 p.m. Oct. 21.
The library’s reopening comes with restrictions of only 10 patrons at a time allowed inside the site.
Jill McConnell, executive director of the library, said people missed browsing the books and having access to technology.
For now, visits are limited to one hour, and all visitors 2 and older have to wear a mask.
Curbside service is still available.
“We look forward to providing some return to normalcy via express library service,” Mariacher said.
Sharpsburg Community Library is at 1212 Main St. Temporary hours are noon to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
