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View from the Library: Get started with genealogy

by Abbi Dooley
| January 11, 2022 7:55 AM

We are really looking forward to 2022 here at the library with the return of some favorite programs and some big changes on the horizon for our building.

Story Time returns on Thursday mornings at 9:15 a.m. starting Jan. 13. This program is geared toward kids ages 3-5 and their parents or caregivers. Each week Felicia will read stories and have an easy craft for kids to participate in. This program is great for getting kindergarten ready, but also for some good old fun. For the littlest library patrons, we have Mother Goose programs each Monday at 9:15 a.m. in the library meeting room. This program is for babies, toddlers and their parents or caregivers and includes stories, nursery rhymes and songs. This is a great space for parents to meet and kids to play. Older siblings and friends are always welcome.

Join Sierra at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25 for our first technology program of the year, “Get Started with Genealogy: using the Ancestry website to research family history.” Sierra will walk you through how to use the Ancestry Library website and will also introduce participants to other resources the library has for researching your family tree. Watch for technology programs each month at the library.

We have been trying to tell everyone about all of the great digital resources the library offers, but we aren’t seeing a lot of usage on some of them. We are due to renew our Freegal subscription soon and need your input. Freegal is an ad-free music streaming service at no cost to library cardholders. With our renewal we would get unlimited streaming and continue our five free downloads per week. Freegal offers some of today’s new music (like Adele’s new album) as well as millions of old favorites. If you want us to keep Freegal, please take just a minute to complete our survey on our website or Facebook page.

Felicia was doing a little new year tidying up and found a couple of LeapPads that still work. They’ve got new batteries and are seeing a new life in the library. These are available to checkout for 14 days along with books and cartridges, too. These are great learning tools for young children.

Did you know we still offer curbside service? Curbside delivery is a permanent feature available to all patrons for holds pickups. Just pull up in front of the library, give us a call and tell us the last five digits of your library card number. We will get your holds checked out, bagged up and delivered to your vehicle. We can even do contactless delivery to your trunk. Please call us at 406-883-8225 or email us at polsoncl@polson.lib.mt.us with questions or to request curbside pickup.

The library will be closed Monday, Jan. 17 for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The hours from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday and Friday are reserved for those 65 and older, or those who are immunocompromised. Please wear a mask during this hour.

Abbi Dooley is director of North Lake County Public Library in Polson.