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Cancelled AARP Tax Prep Services: What Now?
by Dillon Geshel 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

Hello! Last Friday, the AARP Foundation cancelled the volunteer tax prep services they carry out at our library from February - April. The Library also had to cancel all programs and close to the public, which would effectively cancel those events anyway. Does anyone provide a summary of free tax prep resources to your patrons? If so, would you mind sharing? If you know of a good digital or in-person option for Michigan residents that is free or discounted, please let me know. Thank you, Dillon -- Dillon Geshel Library Director Portage Lake District Library 58 Huron Street, Houghton MI (906)-482-4570 x2 Visit our website at www.pldl.org Like our FB page at facebook.com/pldl.org *The Mission of the Portage Lake District Library is to inspire our diverse community to discover, imagine and connect. Our Vision is an educated, connected community of readers, learners, doers and dreamers.*

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North Adams closing
by North Adams Library 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

The North Adams Community Memorial Library will to closed. Requests will be handed through the door. ------ Phyllis Rickard Director North Adams Community Memorial Library (zv245) 110 E. Main St., PO Box 248 North Adams, MI 49262 517-287-4426 northadamslibrary(a)gmail.com http://www.northadamscml.michlibrary.org/

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Charter offering free wifi for students for 60 days, plus free installation.
by Reed, Nyama 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

I believe this is national whereever Charter operates. I first saw a post for it in CT but found it also listed in WI. https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2020/03/13/wisconsin-coronavirus-spe… Charter Communication announced Friday morning it will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a subscription. The news comes on the heels of the arrival of coronavirus in communities throughout the country, and concerns over transmission of the virus. Wisconsin has seen six confirmed cases as of Thursday afternoon. Public and private school and universities are implementing changes and closures. Many have scheduled early spring breaks, extended breaks, and are looking into or have already scheduled online courses and video instruction to temporarily replace brick and mortar classrooms. Charter will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely, the company said. A service of up to 100 megabits per second will be provided. The offer begins Monday. Those interested in enrolling are asked to call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. Have a wonderful day, Nyama Nyama Y. Reed (she / her / hers) Library Director N.Reed(a)WFBLibrary.org 414-755-6551 (direct line) Whitefish Bay Public Library 5420 North Marlborough Drive Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 414-964-4380 (main line) Our Mission The Whitefish Bay Public Library, as a cornerstone of the community, is dedicated to connecting people of all ages, inspiring a love of learning and providing easy access to ideas, information and resources.

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FW: USAC Remains Open for Business
by Norris, Sonya (MDE) 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

From: USAC <DoNotReply(a)usac.org> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 11:52 AM To: Norris, Sonya (MDE) <NorrisS2(a)michigan.gov> Subject: USAC Remains Open for Business Precautions in Place to Protect Health and Safety View<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fview.outre…> this email as a web page. [USAC Banner] USAC Remains Open for Business March 16, 2020 At USAC, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees, contractors, and stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic. USAC remains fully operational. USAC has taken steps to reduce the risk of illness and transmission among our staff and partners. This includes increasing sanitation efforts around the office facilities, minimizing travel, and promoting virtual meetings. Most USAC staff and contractors will work remotely for the coming days and can be reached at their USAC email and telephone numbers. While the way we work has changed, USAC will conduct the regular and ongoing work administering the Universal Service Fund. This includes processing and reviewing program applications, collecting contributions, disbursing payments, and implementing program guidance from the FCC. All USAC customer support centers remain open. Please be patient if you experience longer than usual wait times with our customer service teams as circumstances continue to change. To submit program or service provider documents to USAC, please use your normal submission channels or use the support function below: E-rate: Submit via EPC<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fclick.outr…> Lifeline: LifelineProgram(a)usac.org<mailto:LifelineProgram@usac.org?subject=> Rural Health Care: RHC-Assist(a)usac.org<mailto:RHC-Assist@usac.org?subject=> High Cost: HCQuestions(a)usac.org<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fclick.outr…> Service Providers: CustomerSupport(a)usac.org<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fclick.outr…> If your send other documents to USAC via mail or overnight delivery, you must also email a PDF copy to Outreach(a)usac.org<mailto:Outreach@usac.org?subject=>. USAC will share program-specific accommodations and impacts via email and on our website. USAC continues to monitor developments and will implement additional precautions if necessary. This is an evolving situation, and we will keep you informed of any changes as they arise. Contact Us! For questions or comments, please reach out to your respective customer support team. E-rate Client Service Bureau: (888) 203-8100 or open an EPC<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fclick.outr…> case High Cost Program: (844)-357-0408 or hcquestions(a)usac.org<mailto:hcquestions@usac.org?subject=> Lifeline Program: (800) 234-9473 or LifelineProgram(a)usac.org<mailto:LifelineProgram@usac.org?subject=> RHC Help Desk: (800) 453-1546 or RHC-Assist(a)usac.org<mailto:RHC-Assist@usac.org?subject=> Service providers: (888) 641-8722 or CustomerSupport(a)usac.org<mailto:CustomerSupport@usac.org?subject=> The information contained in this electronic communication and any attachments and links to websites are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, or the person responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, be advised you have received this communication in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying is strictly prohibited. Please notify the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this communication and any attachments. USAC | 700 12th Street NW, Suite 900 | Washington, DC 20005 www.usac.org<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fclick.outr…> | © 1997- 2020 USAC | All Rights Reserved | USAC Privacy Policy<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fclick.outr…>

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Tecumseh District Library Closed Until April 6
by Susan Bach 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

The Tecumseh District Library will be closed until April 6. Due dates will be extended and the book drop will be closed. Staff will not be working and MEL service has been suspended. All programming until April 6 has been cancelled. Susan Bach, Director Tecumseh District Library 215 North Ottawa Street Tecumseh, MI 49286-1564 517-423-2238

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Alden District Library closing until further notice
by aldenlib＠torchlake.com 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

Alden District Library will be closed to the public until further notice. All programs will be cancelled until at least April 5, 2020. All checked out items will not be due until we reopen. --- _Susan Riegler_ Susan Riegler, Director Alden District Library 231/331-4318

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library overdues and fines
by Grai, Rebecca 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

We are going all online for our students. However, we are still open to our students with limited hours. What are academic libraries doing about overdue books and notices? I need a couple of examples so we can make an informed decision. Thanks in advance. Becky Rebecca Grai Head of Circulation Strosacker Library Northwood University 4000 Whiting Drive Midland, MI 48640 Office: 989.837.4333 grai(a)northwood.edu northwood.edu<http://www.northwood.edu/> Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/NorthwoodU/>

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Storytime Options
by Thomas Trahey 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

Here <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14sKF93Q15buUUtJwrRvR8K8xAQdQSVss9Rz…>is a list that will be helpful for planning virtual storytime. Many authors and publishers have given permission to use their works for live streaming storytime for the time being. -- Thomas Trahey Mason County District Library Head of Circulation 231.843.8465 Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. --From the Library Bill of Rights by the ALA Council.

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West Bloomfield Township Public Library Closed
by Jeff Crocker 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

The West Bloomfield Township Main Library and Westacres Branch are closed until further notice. Jeff Crocker Main Library Branch Manager -- West Bloomfield Township Public Library <https://www.wblib.org/> 4600 Walnut Lake Road <https://maps.google.com/maps?q=West+Bloomfield+Township+Public+Library,+Wal…> West Bloomfield, MI 48323 <https://maps.google.com/maps?q=West+Bloomfield+Township+Public+Library,+Wal…> Main Phone: (248) 682-2120 Branch Phone: (248) 363-4022 <//www.wblib.org/includes/statistics.php?StatType=Link&StatID=Facebook&weblink=https://www.facebook.com/WestBloomfieldLibrary> <//www.wblib.org/includes/statistics.php?StatType=Link&StatID=Pinterest&weblink=https://www.pinterest.com/westbloomlib> <//www.wblib.org/includes/statistics.php?StatType=Link&StatID=Twitter&weblink=https://twitter.com/westbloomlib> <//www.wblib.org/includes/statistics.php?StatType=Link&StatID=Instagram&weblink=https://www.instagram.com/westbloomlib> This message is intended only for the individuals to whom it is addressed. Please note that it is strictly prohibited to disseminate, distribute or copy this information without expressed written permission. West Bloomfield Township Public Library does not guarantee that the integrity of this communication has been maintained or that this communication is free of viruses, interceptions, or interference.

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Answer to question about whether we are paying staff during closure
by Reed, Nyama 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

Hello Everyone, Here is an answer to someone's question about whether we are paying staff during closure. ------------------------------------------- First off, I hope you stay safe and healthy! Thankfully our municipality said they would be paying all of their staff if they closed. I was going to ask my board to approve that even if the Village didn't, but it made it much easier to do once the Village Manager and Village Board President approved it for everyone. FYI, as of today no one is Village Hall, PD or DPW is "off" Also, I made the case that: 1) it is budget neutral since we would have been paying them anyways 2) it is a way to be a supportive workplace so staff don't have to worry about paying bills or going into debt 3) we don't want staff to quit during the closed period to go get a different job in order to pay bills, we would then be worse off when we reopen 4) yes, we will have a reduction in revenue, but we can adjust operations to make up for that after this is over and we see the final impact. 5) as a public library (in Wisconsin) we are allowed to have a fund balance, unlike other municipal departments, and we can use it for emergencies. Ours is currently 5% of our total operating expenses and will enable us to cover shortages in revenues w/o paying for it by not paying staff. If your admin really wants even part time staff to work to earn their money, tell them to read at home for their work hours so they can provide great reader's advisory once you re-open! Record storytime videos from home and post them online. Find easy crafts and post to your fb. etc. I personally advice against having staff in to clean or check in books bc that still offers the opportunity to spread the virus. I know I am being extremely cautious on that front and some might say "overly" cautious. But I'd rather err on the side of caution in this instance. What we are currently doing: Staff will be paid their regular working hours. At this time there is no expectation of work from part-timers. Department heads and the 1 full time librarian are being asked to work 4 hours per day from home. We set up remote desktops for each of them using google's remote desktop app. That has to be set up on their work desktop in person, but then can be accessed from home if they have home internet. I also offered for those staff to take home a library laptop or chromebook if they didn't have a home computer. This week they are working on FAQs and tutorials for e-resources to put out to patrons. Initially we announced a 1 week closure but today will be announcing a full month. After this week we'll see what else they can do from home. I'm not having anyone in the library except me so as to keep new germs away. We can still pass it to each other and I'm high risk due to asthma, so I'm keeping it to only me (and my 11 year old son) in the library. Best of luck! Have a wonderful day, Nyama Nyama Y. Reed (she / her / hers) Library Director N.Reed(a)WFBLibrary.org 414-755-6551 (direct line) Whitefish Bay Public Library 5420 North Marlborough Drive Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 414-964-4380 (main line) Our Mission The Whitefish Bay Public Library, as a cornerstone of the community, is dedicated to connecting people of all ages, inspiring a love of learning and providing easy access to ideas, information and resources.

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