The world is a pretty serious place right now. Let the library help you relax and forget about the crazy stuff going on around us!
The library doors may be closed, but we are always wide open online at mybcpl.org. Some resources do not even require a library card, but many do. Can’t remember if you have a library card? Lucky you! You can apply for a digital card right from our website and receive the number instantly.
Okay, now that you have your card, it is time to explore our site. Sure, you can use this to do any number of educational activities, but that is not why you are here today. You are here to unwind, relax, and have fun.
For many people, reading is the best way to relax. From fiction stories about faraway places to autobiographies from comedians, books are easy escapes from reality. You want to listen to an audio book while you are working from home? Great, head back to the library’s home page and click on the link to our digital library. There is a simple graphic of headphones to click on. From there, you have the option of what resource you want to continue with. Since you are looking for a funny audio book, I suggest clicking on Overdrive.
Whoa, it looks like the first Harry Potter book is available to listen to with no wait. And it is available in so many languages. Sounds great, but not today. Today you want something light and funny. When you scroll down just a little further, there is a whole slew of available books highlighted for National Humor Month. That sure is good timing.
You have selected a great book to listen to. Maybe it is Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan. Go ahead and pick how long you want to borrow it. Will a week be enough? Maybe two just to be safe. You can listen right there in your browser. Plug in your headphones, and you are ready to go.
Next, you decide your idea of a fun time is to look into your family history. You hop on back to the main library page and click on “resources” where you scroll down to genealogy. Ancestry Library edition is usually only available inside the library building, but right now it is available to use at home. Just use that fancy new digital card number and PIN, and you are ready to figure out where your great-great-great grandpa was born.
Back at the library site, there is a link to the kids’ page. Just look at all of those amazing resources. You really want to follow the Home Safari with the Cincinnati Zoo. It looks like you will need to come back to this at three.
There is still so much to explore, but maybe now it is time to get off the computer for a bit. You grab a book you have laying around the house, and head out to enjoy the sunshine. If you do not have a book at home, you can always download one from Overdrive and read through an e-reader, tablet, or even your cell phone.
If you are anything like me, you cannot wait until life starts getting back to normal. One day, social distancing will be a term from the past. The library doors will be open again to welcome all our loyal patrons into the freshly cleaned building. If you are one of those that got a digital card to help you through these times, hopefully you will decide to come in and apply for a physical card as well. We cannot wait to see you all.
Bartholomew County Public Library Outreach Manager Valerie Baute can be reached at vbaute@mybcpl.org
