Cade Pickel has built mansions and explored the ocean depths. For an 8-year-old, he’s lived an eventful life – through Dauphin County Library System libraries. Now, with The Library’s eight buildings closed due to the pandemic, his favorite reading times and artistic pursuits are coming to him. 

 “We’ve been reading to Cade since he was in the NICU,” said his mom, Janet Pickel, of Middletown Borough. “Since he was old enough to go out in public, we started taking him to library Storytimes. The Library has so much stuff that people don’t realize.”

• During the COVID-19 shutdown, The Library is offering children and adult programming on Facebook.
• A wide range of resources are available on The Library’s website, dcls.org. Additionally, special programing, such as a travel series, will be available on the Library’s “Beyond the Shelves’’ blog.

Residents can also enjoy fun and educational activities with children, find stimulating new reads, and get accurate information about halting the spread of COVID-19 at dcls.org.

“Even though our doors are closed, Dauphin County Library System remains committed to serving as a community hub and resource,” said Executive Director Karen Cullings. “Our staff is keeping the community connected and engaged. Families can still share the joy of reading with their kids. Book lovers can discuss the latest great read. Even residents who don’t have the internet for crucial things like job searches or taking online GED classes can access WiFi from outside our buildings.”

Programming for children

• Find children’s programs by visiting Facebook, Dauphin County Library System, @dcls.pa, scroll down the feed to “Groups,” and join “Children’s Programs at the Library.”

Storytime on Facebook: The Library’s popular and engaging librarians read children’s favorite books or tell stories from videos taped at their homes. The librarians help parents build their children’s literacy skills through exposure to reading and songs. 

• Born to Read for ages birth to 18 months, posted at 10 a.m. Tuesdays
• Family Storytime, 10 a.m. Thursdays 

Additional programs available on The Library’s Facebook site include:

• Features on crafts made with items typically found around the house.
• Fun activities with built-in opportunities for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and the arts. They include a papier-mache volcano and making a map of your home to learn directional and spacing concepts. 
• Links to educational content online, such as a webinar on sharks from the National Marine Educators Association. 

“We want to give parents the tools to continue educating their children in the absence of those places they may normally take them,” said Youth Services Manager Jennifer Hoedemaker. “These are activities that take families outside of the normal learning environment.”

Programming for adults

• Find programming for adults by visiting Facebook, Dauphin County Library System, @dcls.pa, scroll down the feed to “Groups,” and join “Adult Programs at The Library.”

Adult programs on The Library’s Facebook site include: 

• Online Book Club. Readers will have simultaneous access to online copies of a designated book and can join group discussions at 2 p.m. on four successive Sundays. Additional content such as playlists and background material provided by authors are also available. 
• Bookish TV & Film Club. Dauphin County Library System members can access Hoopla, the free service whose digital content includes movies, television shows, audiobooks, e-books, and music. While the library remains closed, library members can access bonus content without using monthly credits, such as workout videos. The Bookish TV & Film Club explores the ties between books and film, with Facebook group discussions at 2 p.m. Wednesdays. PBS Masterpiece episodes available on Hoopla will also be discussed, beginning with the 2002 production of “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
• Friday Mid-Day Getaways. At 1 p.m. Fridays, library staff will showcase their talents in short videos, demonstrating favorite ways to unwind with low-stress activities, such as cooking and baking, drawing, painting, crafts, reading a favorite poem, and playing the mountain dulcimer. 

On The Library’s website:

Armchair Travel Series: Coming soon to the “Beyond the Shelves” Blog – The series visits global destinations via Google Arts & Culture virtual tours, music playlists, suggested readings from The Library’s resources, recipes, arts and craft ideas, and language learning resources. The first planned destination is South Korea.

The Library also hopes to work with community partners to present workshops and lectures for adults on such topics as small business operations and digital literacy. 

 “We want to continue to be a hub of information and entertainment,” said Adult Programming and Outreach Coordinator Ashley Famularo. “We’re more than just physical books. It’s important to share our resources that are available for free. We want to let people know that we’re still here for them. These are stressful times, and people still need us.”

Like all Dauphin County residents and organizations, Dauphin County Library System is playing its part in coping and recovery. 

“The library is focused on its mission to share educational and informational resources,’’ Cullings said. “We are committed to helping Dauphin County emerge from the covid-19 crisis standing strong and ready to recover.”