By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
While the Hays Public Library building may be closed and the staff working from home through April due to COVID-19 precautions, digital services and some programming continues to be offered to provide area residents the opportunity to access entertainment and learning materials — even if they are stuck in their homes.
Digital resources still available include thousands of books, movies, graphics novels, audiobooks and music.
"You can access all of these things, and it's free, just like checking out a book at the library," said Callie Kolcany, HPL communications coordinator.
And if a patron would like something not currently offered, she said you can contact the library and make a request.
"That's another great thing that is available, requesting items," Kolcany said.
Kolcany said the biggest question they have received from people trying to access the digital resources so far centers around the PIN number needed for checkout.
That number is the last four numbers of the user's library card, she said.
Shifting services online is not limited to just checking out media.
"We have some programs that we are adapting to go online," Kolcany said.
Their 20th annual poetry contest has been adapted to go online as well.
The contest started on the April 1, accepting original poems from anyone 16 and older.
The contest will be open until April 15 when a panel of judges will make choose the winners. The top two entries will win Hays Chamber Cheques.
Winners will be announced on the library's Facebook page on April 17.
They will also host the student art contest.
"This is another thing we have adapted to be online," Kolacny said.
That contest is open to any grades K-12 and will be open to illustrations that interpret their summer reading theme of "Imagine Your Story."
Entries for that contest are also due on April 15 and can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the library.
While the precautions are in place, Kolacny said there is no need to return any materials to the library, which is asking for everyone to keep items at home until conditions change.
She said if anyone receives a notice about an overdue item, not to worry, it is only because of the automated system.
"If that happens, just let us know," Kolacny said. "We can fix it after it happens."
The library staff can be reached at [email protected] or call (785) 625-9014 and leave a message.