Monroeville library offering many online programs during pandemic

With libraries being closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, it can be difficult for people to get access to free reading materials and programs.

Monroeville Public Library is offering a variety of e-resources including online story times, yoga classes and virtual writers groups.

“As soon as it became apparent that closure was imminent, our staff immediately began brainstorming ways to highlight our large collection of available, online content,” director Nicole Henline said. “We have long provided access to cardholders to apps like Hoopla, Overdrive/Libby, and Flipster, which allow people to download ebooks and audiobooks, stream movies, shows, and music and access to magazines.”

Assistant director Pal Bodziock said it’s important to keep people engaged during these trying times.

“People are feeling isolated and we want to give them a feeling of connection to their community, even if they have to stay at home,” said Bodziock. “We look at this as a challenge to continue serving our community – which has always been our mission – but in new and interesting ways. We are hoping we can provide some continuity in a time of uncertainty and difficulty, and let our community know that they are not alone.”

Online activities

Five-minute story times will be shared on the library’s YouTube channel, and links will be posted on the “Monroeville Library Children’s Room” Facebook page.

Other Facebook posts include book talks and recommendations to children of all ages, sharing resources for parents to use.

Hatha yoga instructor Pam Shugerman plans to start online classes at 11 a.m. Saturdays in April.

Click this link, zoom.us/j/784818978, and enter meeting ID 784-818-978 to join.

Library Salad is a new series with tricks on how to make easy recipes, beauty tips and how to reorganize clutter. New and past episodes can be found in the library’s YouTube and social media pages.

Gaming tutorials, pop culture reviews and recommendations, craft ideas, meditation exercises and more also will be posted.

Club meetings

Writers On the Block meetings will be online 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

Attendees can discuss current writing projects, offer critiques on each other’s work, and find support from fellow authors. All forms and genre of writing are welcome; this group is particularly suited to beginning authors.

The library’s pop culture club Fan Addicts is using the new feature Netflix Party to host virtual watch parties where participants can join others through their computer and watch Netflix. A new selection will be viewed at 7 p.m. Mondays in April.

Community members can contact library staff by phone at 412-372-0500 ext. 126 or by email at monroevillerefdesk@gmail.com.

They can also click bit.ly/2UAtYgc to apply for library cards online in order to have access to even more materials.

More information about Monroeville library programs is available at monroevillelibrary.org.