This summer, the Library’s services are a lot different from what we were able to do in previous summers. I know I’ve written similar sentences before. I’m still in the process of grieving that change and it’s often at the forefront of my mind. I’m not alone in that grief process. Recently, a librarian in the Chicago area was interviewed by the New York Times and said libraries want to be the “community living room” where people “stay and get comfortable,” but we’re now having to build service models that contradict that goal. It’s a difficult, though necessary, adjustment. I’m not sure any of the Library staff is used to it yet.
One of the things I’m pleased we can offer again this summer is free food for kids and teens. In fact, because the USDA relaxed their guidelines, we can offer more food options and service days this summer than we were able to last summer.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday the Pryor Library is serving a grab-and-go breakfast and lunch from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Any child or teen is eligible to get meals and parents are welcome to pick up meals for their kids. The meals are shelf-stable and come with a carton of shelf-stable Hershey’s milk.
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma provides all of the meals we distribute. They are just as passionate about making sure everyone has enough to eat as we are. Families have the option to come each service day to pick up meals or to grab multiple days’ worth of meals at one visit. We’ve got everything behind the main checkout desk.
While you’re in the library, don’t forget to register for our Summer Reading Program. Everyone who registers gets an at-home activity sheet and is entered into a grand prize drawing. The Summer Reading Program is a great way to make sure everyone reads all summer long.