I am a staunch believer that we are never too old, too smart, or too educated to stop learning. Of course, it may be due to the fact that I am not too old yet (just older), too smart, or too educated. Or, it just might mean that it’s inhumanly possible to learn everything in one lifetime.
Regardless, as our library is evolving along with the COVID-19 crisis, I am learning so much more.
- Videography: Who knew it was so danged hard to do? After recording tutorials and story times, I now have tremendous respect for the peeps behind the cameras. The brain and the hands don’t always act in concert–or at least, mine don’t. Quite a few times, I zoomed when I should not have, and even as my brain was screaming, “NOOOOO! The other way!”, my fingers continued to bring Em’s beautiful face up close and personal. Stay tuned for when and where these will be broadcast, and like me, you can learn to appreciate good cinematography.
- The artistic world is a generous place. As a writer myself, I knew this on a gut level, but the complete outpouring of amazing artists, authors and illustrators who are making themselves and their materials available to the masses is astounding. Check out these sweet sites and engage with new experiences.
- The Kennedy Center featuring Lunch Doodles will occupy your tiny tots (and you) with children’s author and illustrator, Mo Willems.
- Lit Hub’s The Virtual Book Channel will help you create authorly connections.
- The New York Review of Books is offering author perspectives from around the world regarding the pandemic.
- The Metropolitan Opera want to take you on a date by streaming operas. I’ve never actually seen one, but I will now!
- The world is a generous place. Again, I know this in theory, but to see it play out in real time on a global level warms my heart. If ever there was a sign that the human race has a hopeful future, it is seen in the nightly Italian serenades, the Little Free Libraries turned Little Free Pantries, and through locals buying gift cards and ordering take-out in unprecedented numbers to support our community businesses.
- Some households across our country, state, and county do not have access to information outside of public libraries. Again, this I “knew”. But I didn’t quite grasp the extent of it. We take for granted radios, televisions with rabbit ears, cable tv, internet, and smart phones–or at least, I do. That said, we don’t always realize that some individuals may not have access to any of them. If you know someone who doesn’t have access to any of these news outlets, please contact us. We will find radios to match with households.
- Lastly, not all information is good, accurate, or reliable. This is why I love, love, love the fact that The New York Times and nearly all other major news outlets are providing reader access to digital COVID-19 content. Folks, please learn how to vet your news sources and information. Look for articles with linked research, studies, or professional interviews. These citations can help you determine if a statement has some meat, or if it’s an opinion with info and speculation passed on from someone’s neighbor’s, grandma’s, friend’s uncle who knows someone who knows. Be aware of articles, videos, and posts that only reinforce what you already believe or want to believe without providing you with an alternative perspective.
Please drop us a line and let us know what you’ve learned and where you’re learning it. We will pass along relevant links as we deem appropriate and relevant to our community.
keep reading, keep learning~ jody
