Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Kimball Library News 3/30/2020


By the time you read this press release you’ll realize that information posted prior has been changed just as the world has changed.  With the new directive from the Governor the hope of re-opening in April has now been changed to hopefully May.  STILL—overdues will not be charged during this time and you can still email kwatson@kimballlibrary.com if you are experiencing difficulty using any online services.  More decisions about our services will be rendered after the publication of this news.  Please refer to our website (for the most precise and current information regarding the Library).

THINKING OF YOU BOOKS: Thinking of You Books ~ Outside the Library entrance is a new treat.  Outside the ----a shelf of “Thinking of You Books.”

These books are offered freely to you during the time that we are closed. Please take and enjoy!

In exchange, we ask that you: Please not return these books. Do not place them in the book drop when you are finished reading. Do not donate them back to the library. Do not donate them once we resume taking future book donations.  Simply put, once you take it off the cart pay it forward, not back! Thank you and enjoy. We look forward to having you back in the library soon!

REGISTER FOR A TEMPORARY LIBRARY CARD: If you found yourself quarantined at home before you could sign up for a library card, fill out this form to receive a temporary library card number. At this time, this service is for Atkinson residents only.

Your library card number will allow you to access all our online resources including Hoopla, Overdrive, Universal Online Learning, Transparent Language Learning, and Kanopy. Between them all, we have more than enough resources to keep you sane, happy, and healthy during quarantine.

Any questions?  Email staff@kimballlibrary.com, we are here to help.

HOMESCHOOL HELP: Everyone may be feeling a little stuck right now. These are difficult times to navigate, and even harder to take on a role that you may have not been expecting, like a caregiver, teacher, or solo online explorer. Here are some resources that can help boost your homeschool curriculum, or expand your horizons while you’re stuck at home.  Browse the list below, but if you go to our website and the browse the article ‘HOMESCHOOL HELP’ you will be able to directly click on the link and be taken to the page for instant access.

Storyline Online (All your favorite celebrities read all your favorite picture books! Activity guides for both parents and teachers are included for every title.)
Storytime From Space (Astronauts host story time from outer space!)
KidLit TV (Music, crafts, activities, all based around books read aloud on the site)
Brightly (Story times for all ages all the way up to book discussion tips for teens!)
Imagineering In A Box (Disney Engineering Program designed for Kids in Gr 6-12)
Crash Course Online Learning (Offering different channels for all ages)
Authors Everywhere! (Published authors read chapters of their novels and offer writing and drawing prompts for kids and t/weens)
Lunch Doodle w/ Mo Willems (Author Mo Willems invites everyone into his studio to doodle together)

For Grown Ups:
Take An Online Course (500+ to choose from!)
Learn a Language (Look for the “KidSpeak” option for little ones to learn too!)

STAY TUNED: Visit our website, FaceBook page, Twitter account, or Instagram to learn about more updates and resources to come.  We miss all our face-to-face interactions with our wonderful community, but safe practice says ‘see you online.’  We have upcoming events online as well that your or your children will be able to participate in.  See you there!

ITEMS ON HOLD: Don’t despair!  We will keep your item on hold for you for 3 business days after we re-open.  Disregard notices that you receive asking you to come pick them up now.

MORE INFO: Go to https://kimballlibrary.com to use the data bases and online services. Miss a news article?  Go to https://kimballlibrary.blogspot.com to read each and every one!

Monday, March 23, 2020

Kimball Library News 3/23/2020


TRUSTEES OF THE KIMBALL LIBRARY, 5 Academy Avenue, Atkinson, NH 03811:

The Kimball Library Trustees have determined that the Library will close at 8 PM on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and remain closed through Monday, April 6, 2020 in response to the Covid19 virus. The Trustees wish to protect patrons and staff from contracting the pandemic virus. The Trustees will work with local and state advisory services to determine when full library services may resume.

· CLOSING: The Kimball Library will close to all walk-in traffic at the close of business Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and be RE-EVALUATED on April 6, 2020.

· ANNOUNCEMENT: The notice of closing will be made on the library’s electronic newsletter, the library’s electronic sign and through the Town’s notification system.

· EXTENDED CHECK OUT: Materials taken out (not to include hotspots and some designated items) will be due May 1, 2020.

· FINES: Will not be charged during this period.

· MEETING ROOMS: The use of all meeting and conference rooms is halted immediately.

· PROGRAMS: All programs both adult and youth are cancelled during this period of closure.

· LOANED MATERIALS & STREAMING: The Library has a wealth of information available via electronic devices. Those will continue to be available during closure. Loaned materials may be returned through the book depository at the rear of the building during the period of closure.

· CONTACT: Contact to the library can be made by email: staff@kimballlibrary.com. Appointments for technical support for tutorial help with e-books and other devices may be arranged by contacting Kathy Watson by email:kwatson@kimballlibrary.com.

Sincerely, (Thomas H Kelley, Trustee, Chair, 3.17.20)

ITEMS ON HOLD: Don’t despair!  We will keep your item on hold for you for 3 business days after we re-open.  Disregard notices that you receive asking you to come pick them up now.

ALONE TOGETHER: Home quarantining and social distancing are the right things to do at this time. However, that does not mean they’re easy.

We have a curated list of high quality tools, tours, classes, and connections to artists and teachers that can be accessed for free over the web. Explore the list to keep yourself and your family entertained, and maybe even learn something new! Click the link (ON OUR WEBSITE): Alone Together Ideas to download the list.

Also, don’t forget about Kimball Library’s online platform! There are thousands of books and movies waiting for you on Hoopla, Overdrive, and Kanopy. In addition, there are courses you can take through Universal Class or you can learn or brush up on a language through Transparent Language Online.  Last but not least you can have fun with a little bit of family history searching with HeritageQuest. Most of these online platforms just require logging in using your library card! HeritageQuest requires a separate user name and password.  Call or email staff@kimballlibrary.com for login and password assistance.

STAY TUNED: Visit our website, FaceBook page, Twitter account, or Instagram to learn more updates and resources to come.  We miss all our face-to-face with our wonderful community, but safe practice says ‘see you online!’

MORE INFO: Go to https://kimballlibrary.com to use the data bases and online services. You may also call us Monday-Friday from 10-6 at 603.362.5234. Miss a news article?  Go to https://kimballlibrary.blogspot.com to read each and every one!

Kimball Library News 3/16/2020


Please note the following have either been cancelled or postponed: Morning book discussion for March has been cancelled, March Friends meeting is cancelled, Meet the Director scheduled for March 24th will be held at a later date, Researching Your Family Tree postponed to a later date, and book donations are not being accepted until after April 15th.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

MONEY SMART WEEK: Money Smart Week runs from April 4 – 11, 2020. Money Smart Week® is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances.

Join us early on: Thursday, April 2, 2020 for Maximizing Social Security and Investing For Retirement from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  Check out our other resources on display regarding Personal Finance.

DOWNLOAD AND STREAM: With the touch of a few buttons and a Kimball Library card in good standing, you can get free movies, books, audiobooks, and music from some of our services without ever leaving your house! If you have not already tried any or all of these, now is the time.

Hoopla: Hoopla is a groundbreaking digital media service offered by your local public library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV! We have hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, with more being added daily. hoopla is like having your public library at your fingertips. Anytime. Anywhere.

Overdrive or the Libby App:  Did you know your local library has thousands of ebooks and audiobooks?
You can borrow them, instantly, for free, using just the device in your hand. Get the app for your phone or tablet!

Kanopy: Kanopy is a video streaming service for quality, thoughtful entertainment. Find movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films and educational videos that inspire, enrich and entertain. They partner with public libraries to bring you an ad-free experience that can be enjoyed on your TV, mobile phones, tablets and online.

TECHNOLOGY HELP: Tech THIS out!  If you have an e-reader or gadget that you want to learn how to use with free downloadable books, then we can help you.  You can have a brief lesson here called “Turn it On!” on your tech toy (Kindle, iPad, iPod, cell phone or another device compatible with Overdrive/Libby App) and learn how to put a free library e-book on it.  This is a basic tutorial for newbies.

Are you looking for some place to get help and to learn more about your device(s)? Get troubleshooting assistance, learn how to use your device(s), and discover the latest library apps, news, and online services!

Please register for an appointment.   Do you have questions regarding what you should bring?  Ask for Kathy Watson (tech toy technician) at (603) 362-5234.  (These tutorials are for resident card holders in good standing only, please.) Think of some times that suit you then email kwatson@kimballlibrary.com and Kathy will attempt to give you a unique appointment time or call the library and they will reach out to her for you.

Brief tutorials are also available for basic computer instructions such as setting up email, social media, etc.  We also can teach you how to use Hoopla or Kanopy. When you register for a lesson please indicate your need.  You also need to know your passwords depending on your device and the service you are learning.

HOT SPOTS: They are hot! They are Hotspots! You may not know that we currently own three that are available for lending.

  • The Wi-Fi Hotspot is about the size of a deck of cards and can link up to 15 devices to the internet at the same time. The Wi-Fi Hotspot is portable and simple to use.

  • The Hotspot connects to T-Mobile’s cellular network. By connecting your phone, tablet, or other wireless-enabled device to it, you can get online anywhere within T-Mobile’s coverage area – try it at home, or wherever you’re going!

  •  The Hotspot may be borrowed only by Kimball Library cardholders in good standing for a 1-week period. Overdue fines are $5 per day.

If you are curious you should try them out at home so you can be prepared the next time you go on vacation or lose your internet connection. Your kids will LOVE that they can use their iPads, Chromebooks, and when traveling in car. Come on by and tech it out!

MUSEUM PASSES:  The Boston Aquarium is no longer open until April 4, 2020 at the earliest.  Please check directly with a museum before visiting as their opening and closing schedule may have changed. 

MORE INFO: Go to https://kimballlibrary.com to register for events on the ‘calendar icon’ or use the data bases. You may also call us Monday-Friday from 10-8 and on Saturday from 10-3 at 603.362.5234 to register with a ‘human’. Miss a news article?  Go to https://kimballlibrary.blogspot.com to read each and every one!