With each day, the joy of visiting our Montfort & Allie B. Jones Memorial and Bristow Public Library continues to grow. The library, full of treasures awaiting us all, closed the facility to the public this week but continued to offer curbside service as it worked to expand services, improve lighting, and enhance existing services and space.
In continuation of its existing services, the library offers nonfiction, fiction, young adult, and children’s books as well as DVDs, reference, and historical resources, prompting our imaginations to transport us anywhere our minds are willing to travel in a single moment and free of charge. Aiding those with visual needs, our library also offers materials in large print and maintains an audiobook collection. Additionally, the library hosts the new “Teen Game Night” each Wednesday afternoon from 3 p.m.geons and Dragons anchors game night. The library continues to offer research assistance, printing and lamination services, special seminars and classes, conference rooms for meetings and studies, and children’s activities, including “Storytime with Ms. Elsie.” Additionally, the library will be rolling out a new service in the next two weeks: Franklin T-Mobile hotspots.
In recognition of its goal of serving all populations, the library plans to roll out Franklin T-Mobile hotspots for checkout by library cardholders in good standing for a minimum of 30 days prior positive history. Library Director Heather Hutto said, “Our goal is that the hotspots will enable our rural and underserved patrons to complete work, attend virtual school or meetings, and obtain other online needs that they typically struggle to access.” After applying for emergency broadband funding, the library received the hotspots. The library planned the roll out to coincide with this week’s closure, aiming to synchronously establish and unveil services both old and new and easing transition for staff and patrons.
For those without internet access but who possess their own devices, free internet access remains available through the library. For twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, anyone can utilize the library’s internet. Network and password information is posted on or near the glass doors. Anyone in need of internet access may utilize the network from inside the library during operational hours or from the parking lot when the library is closed. Also, anyone with a library card can access newspapers.com via the library’s website and view other resources. Anyone interested in offering suggestions for program ideas or additional needs may take a community survey posted to the website as well. The library welcomes and encourages all community members to take the survey. You can find the surey at www.bristowlibrary.okpls.org/community-interest-survey/
Regarding the library’s closure, exciting things continue to unfold at our library! Mrs. Hutto explained some of the organizational and structural changes: “Our charitable trust is paying for new LED lighting in the entire building. Temporarily closing a library for any reason is never ideal and why we are working to complete as many projects as possible during the closure. When done, we aim to deliver a remarkable children’s wing and a really lovely adult area to our community.” Library staff are building a beautiful children’s wing along the northwest corner of the building, complete with its own manned circulation desk and playroom. Moreover, Bristow firefighters Wade Snelling and Wyatt Smith joined the effort, proving indispensable in relocating the large shelving for the wing.
Speaking as someone blessed with the opportunity to assist with a few of those updates, library staff worked diligently each day, including throughout the weekend, relocating and reorganizing furniture, shelving, and books, and updating resources throughout the facility. In addition to library staff, a small group of community volunteers, Bristow Fire Department firefighters, the staff of RCS Electric Inc., who installed the new LED lighting, the library’s Board of Trustees, Library Board Inc., and countless others all served the community in updating the library for everyone to enjoy for many years to come. Their service proved invaluable for a small community on the receiving end of resources not oft found in communities of Bristow’s size. Please be sure to thank the staff. They work diligently to serve patrons and the community, performing an oft thankless job.