The Pendleton Public Library has been working tirelessly to find ways to help the public during the ever changing course of the coronavirus. During “Stay Home, Stay Safe,” we provided curbside delivery, virtual story times and video tutorials on how to use our online services.

In Phase 1, we held story times in the park, distributed craft packs for all ages and hosted online book clubs. Now that we are in Phase 2, online school is in session and the library is open to the public.

We applaud our schools for finding a way to get computers into every household and providing virtual learning for our community. One drawback, however, is that COVID-19 school closures prevent students from accessing their school library and this puts them at a disadvantage in a time when access to books and information is more important than ever.

To help bridge this gap the Pendleton library is committed to issuing a public library card to every child in our community between the ages of 6-17. With a Pendleton Public Library card, a child can access the library’s online resources such as free e-Books, audiobooks, educational databases and testing resources.

In order to decrease barriers to access the Pendleton Public Library is prepared to do the following:

• Give every child between the age of 6-17 a clean slate on their existing library card (meaning waive all late fines and lost item charges).

• No longer hold individuals responsible for the fines generated on a family member’s card.

• Allow parents whose children do not currently have cards to register for a child’s card online.

• Mail physical cards to each child registered.

• Send Youth Services Librarian Briana White to every Google Classroom in the district to explain to each class of students how they can use the card and what advantages it offers them.

All you need to do to register a child for a library card is visit the library’s webpage www.pendletonlibrary.weebly.com, scroll to the bottom and click the button titled “Student Library Card Registration.” Once the child has been registered, a card will be mailed to their home address. (Please only register children from your household). In addition to our online resources, these cards will be valid for use at the library and we encourage community members to bring their students in to see us.

Wishing Pendleton parents a wonderful school year.

Jennifer Costley

Pendleton Public Library, director