BE A LIBRARY TRUSTEE!
The Library Board will have two open seats in the November election. Any adult who resides in the library district is eligible to serve as a Library Trustee. Forms may be picked up at Parchment City Hall. A minimum of 6, and a maximum of 20, signatures on
the petition form are required. All forms must be filed at Parchment City Hall by August 11. The new trustees will serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2021.
The Library Board oversees the policies and finances of the library. The Board meets once a month, on the fourth Tuesday at 7:00 pm (in December on the third Tuesday). To learn more about the duties of a Library Trustee, read our Bylaws.
The Library has been a vital part of Parchment life since 1963, guided by cheerful, forward-thinking, community-minded people. If you'd like more information about how to become a candidate, please contact Teresa Stannard, the Library Director, at 343-7747 or tstannard@parchmentlibrary.org.
LIBRARY BUILDING NOW OPEN
We are delighted to open our doors again to the public. To reduce the spread of the COVID virus, the following changes to our normal service are in place:
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Masks must be worn by everyone in the building, except children under the age of 2.
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Five public computers will be available; self-serve only.
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All photocopies will be done by library staff.
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Chairs have been removed; all games, puzzles and toys are in storage.
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Magazines are available by request. No newspapers are available.
NEW HOURS
Mon & Tue 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wed & Thu 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri & Sat 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
CURBSIDE DELIVERY SERVICE EVERY DAY
You may order library materials for curbside pickup by phone, email, or online catalog.
We'll call you to confirm your order, then you can pick up your order within 3 business days.
Call us when you get to the library and we'll bring your order to your car!
MELCAT INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICE RESUMES AUGUST 10
In-District patrons may place InterLibrary Loan requests via mel.org beginning August 10. (Reciprocal patrons should contact their home libraries regarding InterLibrary Loan, since each library may determine their own start date to resume ILL service.)
REOPENING PLAN
Our Reopening Plan has been approved by the Library Board of Trustees. It can be read here. Please note, this plan may change if circumstances warrant.
LIBRARY EVENTS
You can join by phone (landline or mobile) or any Internet-connected device.
Just READ! Summer Reading Program now through August 15.
All Ages!
Join the fun, count your minutes while you read and win free books!
You can join using any Internet-connected device. Click here to register!
Chalk the Walk for Summer Reading - August 3 - 8
Celebrate your summer reading with sidewalk art! Team up with your family or draw by yourself as part of Chalk the Walk for Summer Reading.
Who: Just READ! Participants (all ages)
When: August 3-8
Where: The two short sidewalks by the bench at the northwest corner of the Parchment Community Library building.
How: Sign up for a chalk square and time at the Parchment Community Library. You can sign up in person or by calling the library at (269) 343-7747. Squares and times will be staggered to go along with social distancing guidelines.
Feel free to bring your own chalk or borrow some from the library. Decorate your square to reflect your summer reading - possibly a picture about the book you enjoyed reading most over the summer, a picture reflecting many of the books you’ve read, or something else relating to materials you’ve read.
Once you’re finished, a library staff member will take a photo of your artwork to post on Facebook and Instagram and to display inside the library. All artists will receive a coupon for a free cone at Twisters!
Any questions? Contact Library Ambassador Karen Woodworth at kwoodworth@parchmentlibrary.org.
SPECIAL AUTHOR EVENT - Monday, August 17, 7:00 pm
Celebrate the centennial of the 19th Amendment's ratification with a mystery set in Michigan during the push for women's suffrage! Author D. E. Johnson will present "Detroit Shuffle - The Scandalous World of 1912 Detroit Politics and Women's Suffrage" on Zoom. He'll share some of the fascinating stories he found while researching his book Detroit Shuffle followed by time for questions and answers. You can attend using a land-line phone, a cell phone, or any Internet-connected device. See all the details here.
Parchment Action Team Meeting - August 20, 7:00 pm
The next Parchment Action Team meeting will be a Zoom conference, on August 20 at 7:00 pm. For more information on how to join the meeting, click here.
Let's Talk Baking - Monday, August 24, 7 pm
Bring your baking questions to a Zoom discussion with Victorian Bakery owner Maria Brennan. Make yourself a cup of tea and settle in as Maria answers your questions about baking. Maria will demonstrate how to make Meringue Roulade and Pavolva, followed by an open question and answer session. There will be no Let's Talk Baking event in September.) See all the details here. NEW! See videos of Maria making a Swiss Roll, Scones and Pastry Cream, and Pate a Brisee!
Stories with Mrs. B
You can see Mrs. B's recorded storytimes on the library's website here.
For more fun with Mrs. B, check Instagram: @mrsbstories and Facebook: MrsB and friends.
NEW! RBdigital audiobooks and magazines
We've added digital magazines and more digital audiobooks to our collection! All titles are always available and you can check out as many as you like. See all the details here.
Use your library card to access free digital magazines, books, audiobooks, movies and music!
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Go to our DIGITAL CONTENT page for more information.
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Please note, only in-district cardholders may access digital resources like Hoopla and OverDrive through Parchment Community Library.
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If you have a Reciprocal Borrower card from us, you may access digital resources through your home library's website.
NEW! Apply for a Parchment Library Card online!
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All those who reside or own property within the Parchment School District are eligible for a free Parchment Community Library card.
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Not sure if you live in our district?
Check our Street Index for your address.
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Live in Cooper's Landing Apartments?
Check our map to see if you are in the Plainwell or Parchment library district.
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If you do NOT live in our district, you may not apply online for a card. When the library
re-opens, stop in with a photo ID and your home library card, and we'll give you a Reciprocal Borrower card.
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This card may be used to access our digital collections (Hoopla & OverDrive).
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The limit for Hoopla is now 10 checkouts per cardholder per month, and the limit for OverDrive is 7 checkouts per cardholder per month.
Free Wi-Fi
You can now access the library's wi-fi from the parking lot. Look for the ParchmentLibrary service. There is no password.
Things to do
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Looking for educational resources for kids? See our GREAT WEBSITES FOR KIDS page!
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Looking for fun activities for kids? See our SUMMER READING PROGRAM, FUN & GAMES & STAY-AT-HOME BOREDOM BUSTERS page!
Important resources
To find resources for help with food, mortgage, unemployment, mental health, Internet service, and more, see this April 27 article from Bridge Magazine.
For more information, go to
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Michigan Department of Health and Human Services https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus
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Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services https://www.kalcounty.com/hcs/covid19.php