Message from the Town Administrator
Welcome and safety first notification.Director's Message
To our patrons, visitors, and community members,
Thank you for your patience while we plan our next few phases of operation for library service. In accordance with federal, state, and local policy, we are working to keep you and our staff as safe as possible through this pandemic. During our Phase 2 partial opening plan, all patrons must wear masks in the library. This helps keep our staff and other patrons safe and allows us to open.
Occupancy is limited to a total of 25 patrons in the building at one time. In accordance with State guidelines and local directives, there can be no congregating in the building during this phase. Public bathrooms and computers will not be available. Your cooperation will help us to remain open to the public.
Thank you for your patience while we plan our next few phases of operation for library service. In accordance with federal, state, and local policy, we are working to keep you and our staff as safe as possible through this pandemic. During our Phase 2 partial opening plan, all patrons must wear masks in the library. This helps keep our staff and other patrons safe and allows us to open.
Occupancy is limited to a total of 25 patrons in the building at one time. In accordance with State guidelines and local directives, there can be no congregating in the building during this phase. Public bathrooms and computers will not be available. Your cooperation will help us to remain open to the public.
Currently, we are at Phase 1 - curbside pickup with online registration. See instructions below to take advantage of this service. We are not open to the general public during Phase 1.
Phase 2 partial opening to the public will begin Monday, June 15th with special hours for seniors and those that have high-risk conditions. Special hours are: Monday through Saturday from 10-12 PM.
Closed to the public from 12 noon to 2 for cleaning, disinfecting, and staff lunch.
Additional hours for the general public will be:
Monday and Friday: 2-5 PM
Tuesday through Thursday: 2:00-7:00 PM
Saturday: 2-4 PM
Library on Wheels delivery and curbside pick-up service is available (registration is required).
Curbside Service: We have Town Administrative permission to use 5 spaces on High Street, across from the library. We are offering curbside service by registration only so that we can control the number of requests at one time and possible traffic congestion.
Library curbside service is available during the following hours.
Phase 2 partial opening to the public will begin Monday, June 15th with special hours for seniors and those that have high-risk conditions. Special hours are: Monday through Saturday from 10-12 PM.
Closed to the public from 12 noon to 2 for cleaning, disinfecting, and staff lunch.
Additional hours for the general public will be:
Monday and Friday: 2-5 PM
Tuesday through Thursday: 2:00-7:00 PM
Saturday: 2-4 PM
Library on Wheels delivery and curbside pick-up service is available (registration is required).
Curbside Service: We have Town Administrative permission to use 5 spaces on High Street, across from the library. We are offering curbside service by registration only so that we can control the number of requests at one time and possible traffic congestion.
Monday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:30 - 7:30 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:30 - 7:30 pm
Patrons must reserve a time slot by using our Eventkeeper calendar and selecting an available day and time. For complete details.
Staff is available during the above listed times to take your calls, answer your emails, and fill your requests. Virtual programming continues and is announced on our Eventkeeper calendar page and social media. Email support is available throughout the week to help support your needs as we transition between reopening phases of service. We continue to keep our book drop open for those who wish to return their items. Interlibrary loan deliveries are not operating at this time during this phase, so we will honor local holds only. So please be kind and only place holds on up to 5 items at one time so that others have a chance to do likewise. Fines are waived only until June 30, 2020, so please return all materials by June 30th, including those that may have been lost or overdue.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at:Lamend@ocln.org or 781-784-1578 x 1425 (please leave a message and I will return your call).
Lee Ann Amend, Library Director
Now introducing... Creativebug!
Sharon Public Library is pleased to offer a new database to our cardholders: Creativebug, which offers thousands of arts and crafts workshops by top artists and designers, plus downloadable recipes, patterns, and more!Find your next project and get crafting today by visiting our Consumer & Home Arts databases page!
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SPL is partnering with Samaritans, Inc to host Mental Health Awareness Trainings this week
Break the silence at an upcoming virtual workshop on mental health and wellness, presented by Samaritans, Inc. and held by the Town of Sharon and the Sharon Public Library. During the workshop, you will learn how to:
- Implement simple healthy lifestyle changes into your everyday life to enrich your well-being
- Manage stress and develop effective coping skills through discussion
- Recognize the symptoms of depression, as well as warning signs and risk factors of suicide
- Find resources to help yourself or a loved one.
Workshops will be hosted on Zoom, a free videoconferencing program, on the following dates and times:
- Monday, May 4 at 10am
- Tuesday, May 5 at 3pm
- Friday, May 8 at 5pm
Please contact Assistant Director Miki Wolfe at mwolfe@ocln.org for more information or to register for one of the workshops. Registration is required.
Temporary Remote Access to Ancestry.com!
Instructions: Follow the link (above) and log in using your Sharon Public Library card number and PIN ('ocln' is the standard assigned PIN for SPL cards). You will be redirected to a page connected with our catalog. Click on the Ancestry.com logo under the words "Access Ancestry." Only Sharon residents will be able to access this service. If you have questions or need help, email sharonlibraryma@gmail.com or use our Ask a Librarian function.
Update on Library Status: March 30, 2020
2. Program & meeting spaces
All programs have been cancelled and meeting spaces will not be available until further notice.
3. Return items:
During the time that we are closed due to Covid-19, the Sharon Public Library is waiving all fines so patrons won't accrue any late fees until June 30, 2020. Patrons can access our electronic materials remotely. You will be able to access Ancestry.com remotely on a temporary basis thanks to Proquest. All holds will be suspended until the library reopens.
4. Remote access while the library is closed
Please utilize electronic resources like Overdrive/Libby, hoopla digital, and RBdigital Magazines to access library materials from the comfort of your home.
Check here or on our Facebook page for additional updates; or, email sharonlibraryma@gmail.com.
Stuck at Home & Missing the Library?
Kids and families are encouraged to check out our Youth Services site pages for guided challenges,
awesome resources, and more! Keep checking back as Miss Jessica and Miss Allison continue to post activity ideas and links to help our community's families stay busy and de-stress. Staff Book Reviews
While the library is closed during the COVID-19 crisis, we recognize that individuals and families alike are stuck inside. We hope, however, that you're reading to combat cabin fever! To inspire and entertain our (much missed) patrons during this time, staff will be sharing reviews of what we have been reading while stuck at home. Click here to enjoy.Online & Remote Access Tools Through SPL
If you are practicing social distancing, self-isolation, or simply exercising due caution, the Library can help you stay connected and safe through our online and remote access tools:- Overdrive and its corresponding free app, Libby, allow users to borrow and read or listen to e-books and e-audiobooks on their computers, phones, tablets, or other devices. Get started on your computer by visiting Overdrive and signing in using your library card and PIN (the standard PIN is "ocln"); or by downloading Libby onto the device of your choice for free.
- RBdigital Magazines gives patrons free access to new and back issues of dozens of popular magazines. To use this service, visit RBdigital Magazines and sign in or make a free account. Or, download the RBdigital app (Apple, Android, Kindle Fire).
- The New York Times is available for free online. To access it, visit the Library's catalog and click "New York Times" on the left-hand sidebar. Click "Redeem" next to the digital access code provided, then sign in or create a free account. When your code runs out after 72 hours, simply get a new one by following this process again.
- Hoopla provides limited streaming access to movies, TV shows, e-books, e-audiobooks, and more. Access it through the hoopla website or by downloading the hoopla app (Apple, Android) and sign in or create an account using your library card number. Please note: SPL has a limit of 2 borrows per month for hoopla users.
Still stuck after that? Contact our Reference Team through our Ask a Librarian tool.
Introducing Wowbrary!
Would you like to hear about bestsellers, movies, music, and audiobooks almost as soon as they arrive here at the library? We are excited to offer free Wowbrary email alerts that showcase our newest items each week.
