THE LIBRARY IS 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 which cover the nose and mouth must be worn by everyone in the building, except children under the age of 2.
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Visits must be limited to no more than 1 hour per day.
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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, at a cost of 15 cents per page.
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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 HAS RESUMED
In-District patrons may place InterLibrary Loan requests via mel.org. (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 Zoom events by phone (landline or mobile) or any Internet-connected device.
Parchment Update: Bringing Your Community Closer
Watch Online
Parchment Update is a new series of video interviews with local leaders from the city, schools, churches, and other organizations in Parchment. The videos will be available to watch at your convenience on our website with a new interview each week. If you have questions or topics you'd like to hear about, email them to ref@parchmentlibrary.org or submit them in person at the library.
Book Sales are Back! (with a twist)
Saturdays from 9:30 am-12:30 pm
The Friends of the Parchment Community Library are busy preparing "Grab & Go" bags for our weekly book sales. The sales will be held outside near the front door of the library, and are designed with COVID safety in mind.
Shoppers will choose among sealed paper sacks filled with books, audiobooks, or puzzles. The sacks will be labeled with the contents (such as '5 Cozy Mysteries,' '3 1000-piece Puzzles,' or '3 Like-New Fiction') and the price. The contents of each sack will remain a mystery until the shopper opens it at home!
In addition, everyone who makes a purchase will receive an extra gift-wrapped book, absolutely free!
The book sales will continue each Saturday until the weather gets too cold, when we hope to be able to move them inside the library, in the atrium.
Hoopla Book Club (on Zoom) - Thursday, Oct. 1, 1 pm
Are you looking for an online book club that meets during the day? Would you like to discuss the same book everyone else has read with easy at-home access to both eBook and audio book versions? Try our Hoopla Book Club, beginning October 1 and meeting every first Thursday at 1 pm on Zoom. See all the details here.
Please Register - just follow this link or call the library at 269 343-7747.
Presidential Postcards (on Zoom) - Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7 pm
Wally Jung of the Southwest Michigan Postcard Club will share creative and unexpected postcards of past presidents and their campaigns. See all the details here.
Please Register - just follow this link or call the library at 269 343-7747.
Parchment Action Team (on Zoom) - Thursday, October 15, 7 pm
This group works to make Parchment a great place to live. All residents are welcome!
See all the details here.
Mystery Book Club (on Zoom) - Monday, October 19, 4 pm
Join our group of mystery enthusiasts to discuss mysteries you've read. See all the details here.
How to be an Election Worker is now available to watch online!
November's election is expected to have a high turnout requiring additional election workers. In a Zoom program on Sept 15 Parchment City Treasurer/Clerk Shannon Stutz shared information on what election workers do and how you can work at elections. This program is available to watch online on our Past Events page.
Let's Talk Baking Videos Have Moved!
Maria Brennan of The Victorian Bakery demonstrated several different techniques in videos used for our Summer 2020 Let's Talk Baking series. You can see these videos and find the recipes on our Past Events page.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS for September Online Storytime
Fall storytimes are now online. You can find Mrs. B on Zoom on Wednesdays @ 10:30AM.
Please email us for the link and passcode: ref@parchmentlibrary.org
The weekly storytime craft is also available. Please indicate how many you would like when you email us. We will have them ready on Monday of each week.
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