Fort Scott Public Library staff are working on providing more activities during the COVID 19 pandemic.
“We are slowly scaling up to more activities offered and are currently working on a new way of doing summer reading,” Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library Youth Librarian and Assistant Director, said.
This week, three teens/tweens attended the library’s first virtual book club meeting! The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 29 at 4 pm – Virtual Teen & Tween Game Night on Zoom. To receive the link, families should email Miss Val at [email protected] or message the Fort Scott Public Library Facebook page prior to the start of the meeting. Games played will include 2 Truths, 1 Lie (bring at least enough truths and lies for 3 or 4 rounds) and Charades (bring ideas for words and phrases to act out). Other games may also be played. This meeting is for middle and high school students only.
Next week’s storytime schedule will run as follows:
April 28: 10 am Art & Jellybeans Storytime on Zoom (the meeting will be recorded and made available after it ends).
11 am Art & Jellybeans Storytime on Facebook Live (we may post the video on the library’s YouTube channel as well).
Details:
Join Miss Val online for virtual storytime! The library will use the Zoom platform for the 10 am storytime and Facebook Live for the 11 am event. This should remain the schedule until the library reopens, but stay tuned to Fort Scott Public Library’s Facebook page for all event updates. Due to security concerns surrounding the Zoom app, you will need to message the library for the meeting link. You may receive the link by one of two methods:
Message Fort Scott Public Library through Facebook or email Miss Val at [email protected] before the start (10 am Tuesday) of storytime, and they will send you the link. The same link will be used for all future Zoom storytimes.
Zoom can be accessed on any pc with a camera and headset, smartphone, or tablet with online access. The full application will allow families to see and interact with one another, in addition to being a part of storytime. Storytimes will be recorded and posted afterwards for anyone who misses part or all of the meetings to view later. You will have the option of turning your video and audio on and off anytime during the meeting.
This week’s story: “The Jellybeans and the Big Art Adventure” by Laura Numeroff & Nate Evans
This week’s craft: Painting Materials Needed: Paper, paint (homemade is fine – see the library Pinterest page for a great recipe!), water cup, rag for spills, paintbrush (or cotton swab, sponge, etc.).
Next week’s Fort Scott Public Library Story Time schedule will run as follows:
April 21
10 am Silly Storytime on Zoom (the meeting will be recorded and made available after it ends, when possible).
11 am Silly Storytime on Facebook Live ( may post the video on the library’s YouTube channel as well).
Details:
Join Miss Val online for virtual storytime! This week’s story: “The Book with No Pictures” by comedian B. J. Novak!
For the 10 am storytime,the Zoom platform will once again be used. If you participated last week, you already have the correct link.
If you did not, you may receive the link that will be used by one of two methods:
Message Fort Scott Public Library through Facebook or email Miss Val at [email protected] before the start (10 am Tuesday) of storytime, and they will send you the link.
Zoom can be fully accessed on any pc with a camera and headset, smartphone, or tablet with online access. The full application will allow families to see and interact with one another, in addition to being a part of storytime. This storytime will be recorded and posted afterwards for anyone who misses part or all of the meeting to view later, whenever possible. You will have the option of turning your video and audio on and off anytime during the meeting.This week’s craft: Silly Letters
Materials Needed:
Papers, regular or stick glue, pencil or crayon, and assorted items to glue to the paper (anything fun you have on hand – especially colorful items, such as pom-poms, colored dry pasta, rice, dry beans, drinking straw pieces, yarn, tissue paper, feathers, etc.). Have the materials ready if you would like to join us in making the craft, or just watch Miss Val make the craft and do yours after storytime.
This week’s snack: Silly Edible Letters
Bring a small plate and dry snack foods such as raisins, cereal, mixed nuts, dried fruit, pretzel sticks, or small crackers. We will spell a letter or two with our food before eating it, so be ready to wipe hands as well.For activity suggestions and more see the Storytime Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/fortscottpublic/story-time/.
Downtown Fort Scott in a prior Good Ol’ Days Celebration.
The annual Fort Scott event of Good Ol’ Days, the first weekend in June, will not happen this year.
The event is provided by donations from local businesses and individuals, Shawn O’Brien, chairman of the Good Ol’ Days committee, said.
“With everything that has happened (the effects of the pandemic stay-at-home orders), with people losing their jobs and businesses going under, we didn’t feel we could ask for donations,” O’Brien said.
The group met last week, and made the decision then.
Members of the committee are O’Brien; Melissa Wise, treasurer; Cheryl Van Hoecke, treasurer; Tim Van Hoecke, in charge of vendors; Kayla Hall, secretary; Charlotte Thompson, in charge of logistics; Kelsey DeMott and ShayLynn Clements, in charge of kids activities and Janet Braun, “the guiding light,” O’Brien said.
The group meets monthly following the annual event, except July, to plan all the components that make up Good Ol’ Days.
Vendor registration, donations drive, putting entertainment in place, securing a carnival contract, planning kids activities are the tasks that require months of planning.
Next year the organizing committee will facilitate the event on June 4-5, 2021.
The theme, Family, Friends and Fun, will be held for next years Good Ol’ Days celebration.
“It would’ve been 40 years this year, we’ll celebrate the 40 years next year,” O’Brien said.
Next week’s Fort Scott Public Library storytime schedule will run as follows:
April 14: 10 am Dogs & Donuts Storytime on Zoom (the meeting will be recorded and made available after it ends).
11 am Dogs & Donuts Storytime on Facebook Live (we may post the video on the library’s YouTube channel as well).
Details:
Join Miss Val online for virtual storytime! The library will once again use the Zoom platform for the 10 am storytime and Facebook Live for the 11 am event. This should remain the schedule until the library reopens, but stay tuned to Fort Scott Public Library’s Facebook page for all event updates. Due to security concerns surrounding the Zoom app, you will need to message the library for the meeting link. You may receive the link by one of two methods:
Message Fort Scott Public Library through Facebook or email Miss Val at [email protected] before the start (10 am Tuesday) of storytime, and they will send you the link. The same link will be used for all future Zoom storytimes.
Zoom can be fully accessed on any pc with a camera and headset, smartphone, or tablet with online access. The full application will allow families to see and interact with one another, in addition to being a part of storytime. Storytimes will be recorded and posted afterwards for anyone who misses part or all of the meetings to view later. You will have the option of turning your video and audio on and off anytime during the meeting.
If you would like to do something special for this week’s theme, bring your real or stuffed dog to storytime, and/or a donut or donut-shaped snack (think Cheerios, bagels, mini bagels, etc.).
This week’s craft: Cereal Necklace OR Bird Feeder Materials Needed: Round cereal with hole in the center such as fruit loops, toasted oats, etc. and a string or pipe cleaner. If you want to make the necklace, you may use any food with a hole in it instead of the cereal, if you don’t have any. Pretzels, cookies with holes in the middle, cored apple slices, gummy donut-shaped candy, etc. will all work. If you are using a pipe cleaner, you may use soft foods as well, such as raisins or mini marshmallows. For the bird feeder, cereal is recommended. Have the materials ready if you would like to join us in making the craft, or just watch Miss Val make the craft and do yours after storytime.
Note: I found the attached photo online through a search for free desktop wallpapers. Have a great day, and thanks for all your hard work keeping us all updated during this global crisis,
The library will remain closed until the government and library administration deem it safe to reopen.
This edition of our newsletter will summarize some of the options available to you while the library is closed.
If you don’t want to receive future editions of the newsletter, you can unsubscribe by emailing the library at either [email protected] or [email protected].
Information about Physical Items
Library Items That Are Already Checked Out
Everything already checked out when we closed the library on March 16th has been renewed with a new due date of April 15th. We will extend that date as necessary, so don’t worry about overdue items.
If you want to return items, feel free to use our bookdrop, located near the 2nd Street entrance.
If you want to keep items until we reopen, that is absolutely fine with us.
Library Items That Are On Hold
If you weren’t able to pick up your holds before we closed, don’t worry. We will still have them here for you to pick up when we open.
If you have placed holds on items that aren’t here yet, those holds have been temporarily suspended. When we reopen, you will still have your spot on the holds list.
If you have tried to place holds since we closed, you have probably discovered you couldn’t do it. Until the library world is back to normal, you can’t place holds using your login. If you email us at either [email protected] or [email protected], we will place a hold for you on any items. These holds will also be temporarily suspended until we reopen.
Information about Digital Resources
Digital Only Accounts/I don’t have a library card
We have created a new type of account for people who don’t already have library cards. Go to our catalog www.seknfind.org and create a new account under the “Log in to your account” prompt. Be sure to pay attention to the password you are assigned. (We encourage you to log in and change the password to something more easily remembered.)
We will adjust these accounts daily so that you will have access to digital resources. If you would like access sooner, first create the account, then send an email to either [email protected] or [email protected] with your name and email address.
When we adjust the accounts, we will send you an email with your account number and information about setting up your accounts with hoopla and Sunflower eLibrary.
I have a library card but I need help with digital resources
First look below and see if anything here helps. If you still have any problems getting set up, please email me at either [email protected] or [email protected]. Include your name and account number plus a description of the problem.
You’ll need your library card number, your pin/password, and the email address you used when you signed up for your library card.
Anytime a site asks for your card number or account number, it means the entire 14 digit number. Ignore the spaces when entering it.
When you first set up an account with hoopla, it will ask you for your email and a password. Use the email you used for your FSPL account and create your own password. The next screen will ask for your library, library card number, and pin/password; your pin/password is the last 4 digits of your card number, or if you’ve changed it, use the pin/password that you changed it to. Hoopla has a limit of 15 items checked out per month. Usually it will send you an email near the end of the month if you have checkouts remaining.
Hoopla also has a new category of items that don’t count against your 15 item limit. These can be found by searching “Bonus Borrows”.
When you first set up an account with Sunflower eLibrary, you will need to choose Fort Scott Public Library and enter your FSPL account number and your pin/password. If you have an Amazon account, you can link eligible checkouts to it and read them on an Amazon Kindle reader enabled device.
Hoopla and Sunflower eLibrary (Overdrive) both have apps that you can download to a mobile device. The websites should direct you to the apps.
What if I want a Kansas Library eCard?
Kansas Library eCards provide access to ebooks, databases, and other resources through the State Library of Kansas. If you need us to set you up, send an email with your name, including middle initial, and your birthdate to [email protected] or [email protected], and we will get your account created for you.
You will need the Kansas Library eCard to access ebooks, but many of the databases are available without logging in if you are using the Internet in Kansas. You can experiment by going to https://kslib.info/ and clicking the “Online Resources” link.
Download ebooks, audiobooks, comics, TV episodes, movies, music, and more. You will need your library card login and the email address associated with it.
Search databases, learn a language, repair your vehicle, and much more! Some resources available without logging in if you are located in Kansas; otherwise, you will need a Kansas Library eCard.
Story Time
Miss Val is planning some virtual story times this month!
See our library Facebook page for the latest on her plans. She has been busily researching and planning this, so you know it will be AWESOME!
If you are having trouble unsubscribing from this email, please contact:
Southeast Kansas Library System at 620-365-5136, 218 E. Madison Ave. Iola, Kansas 66749 [email protected]
“After a few weeks of adjusting to this new lifestyle and working to plan online programs, I am happy to finally announce FSPL’s first virtual storytimes,” Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library
Youth Librarian and Assistant Director, said.
The first week’s schedule will run as follows:
April 7:
10 am
Bears Storytime on Zoom (if possible, the meeting will be recorded and made available after it ends).
11 am
Bears Storytime on Facebook Live (we may post the video on the library’s YouTube channel as well).
Join Miss Val online for the first virtual storytimes.
“Our first virtual storytime will take place through the Zoom platform, which can be fully accessed on any pc with a camera and headset, smartphone, or tablet with online access through the following link: https://kslib.zoom.us/j/725385019 ,” Cannon said.
Be sure to only click the link at the start of the meeting time. The full application will allow families to see and interact with one another, in addition to being a part of storytime. If you cannot access or do not want to use the full application, you still may listen in to the meeting by phone at either of the following numbers:
301-715-8592 or 253-215-8782.
“Thank you to Christy Peterson Graves for the suggestion of the subject: Bears. We will go on a bear hunt and share a simple craft together, after spending a few minutes socializing,” Cannon said.
“I will be filming the storytime in my house and reading ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ but will encourage participating families to put up bears for their neighbors to find as they walk and drive around town,” Cannon said.
This week’s craft:
Paper plate bear mask.
Materials required: Paper plate with the center cut out, craft stick, tape or glue, crayons, brown paper for cutting out ears (other colors welcome, too). Alternative materials: A styrofoam plate would also work, cut out circles from a paper bag can be used for the ears, any straight object that the plate can be taped or glued to, and colored pencils or markers also work for coloring.
“Thank you for your patience as we work out the kinks and launch this different version of storytime,” Cannon said.
Rayma Ridge joins with dancers in the street of Uniontown on Wednesday evening. Courtesy photo.
Rayma Ridge said she was influenced by scenes of people around the world who started singing from their windows or balconies while being quarantined because of the pandemic.
She works from home and has a disc jockey business (Rayma’s D.J. Services) as an extra job.
“I’m an extrovert,” Ridge said. “This (stay-at-home order in Bourbon County) is hard on me. I’m sure it’s hard on others.”
All of her disc jockey events were canceled for April because of the order to stay home.
So Ridge decided to put her d.j. skills to use for her neighborhood.
“I got permission from the City of Uniontown,” she said. “I had to ask all my direct neighbors if it was fine. All of them were cool with it.”
So Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. on Third Street in front of Ridge’s house, she put up her speakers and a sign that said “Quarantine Block Party” and began playing kid-friendly music.
Uniontown people dance in the streets courtesy of Disk Jockey Rayma Ridge.
“I picked an evening that it wasn’t going to rain so people could be outside to enjoy it.”
Soon children and some adults were in the streets dancing, socially distancing of course.
Papa Don’s Serves Uniontown
Brita Bolton and two employees served 25 families at the Uniontown Square who had called in an order to Papa Don’s on Wednesday evening.
Although Ridge did not know it, Papa Don’s Restaurant, Fort Scott, had put out on social media that they would bring orders at 7 p.m. to Uniontown’s square.
Those people also got to enjoy the music from Ridge, who was just down the street.
Brita Bolton, owner of Papa Don’s said they served 25 families at the drive-through in Uniontown on Wednesday.
Protective Masks Being Made
Ridge has also devoted time to making protective masks for area essential businesses and medical personnel.
“I’ve been making masks, there is a Facebook group, Masks For SEK,” she said.
Some of the masks for essential workers and medical personnel that Ridge has made. Courtesy photo.
Fort Scott Public Library Director Lisa Walther is working to get access to reading books from your cellphone or computer during this time of social distancing.
You can sign up for a library card.
“If you already have an account with us and need assistance getting ebooks, please email me and I will try to troubleshoot for you, Walther said. “If you DO NOT have an account with us, go to our catalog at www.seknfind.org and create an account. I will adjust that account so you will be able to check out from our electronic resources. If you have a library card, you already have access. Our intent is to provide access to those of you who don’t have an account.
This is for Bourbon County residents only, she said.
The following is a press release sent by Walther.
“If you don’t have an account/card with us, we now have a way for you to access our online ebook resources. Go to www.seknfind.org and create an account. Be sure you make note of your password and that your email is correct. I recommend that you sign in and change your password.
If you want access on the day that you create your account, email me at either [email protected] or [email protected] Please include your full name in your email. If you wait, I will run a report every morning and convert accounts at that time.
““I will edit your account so that you have access to our digital resources hoopladigital and sunflowerelibrary Then I will send you an email with your digital account number and your username. If you have a particular username that you prefer, please let me know by email. The system automatically assigns a name: firstname.lastname. but I can change that if you wish.
See our website: fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org for links and more information. Since this is an experiment, it’s likely we’ll add updates as questions and problems arise.
At this time, we are limiting our digital accounts to Bourbon County residents.
If you already have a card with us, please don’t create a new account. Email me with your question, and I’ll try to resolve it. Please include your name and card number in your email.
If you are interested in the Kansas Library eCard, I can set you up. Email me with your name, including middle initial, birthdate, and verify that you live in Kansas.”
Due to COVID-19, the Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center will be closed to the public until further notice. The trolley tours, which were scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 21, 2020, have also been postponed until further notice. If you would like more information please visit our website, www.visitfortscott.com.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
We hope you enjoy the Fort Scott Public Library newsletter. You are receiving it because you provided us with your email address for library notifications. If you don’t want to receive future editions, you can unsubscribe using the link in this newsletter, or email the library [email protected], and we will remove your address from the list.
Fort Scott Public Library will be closed Tuesday, March 17 and will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time in response to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
After reviewing information from local, state, and federal agencies, we believe that temporarily closing the library and preventing the spread of infection may be the best way to serve our community.
We encourage you to keep library materials until the library reopens. If you wish to return materials, please place them in the library’s drop box.
We will renew items as they become due so that you won’t receive overdue notices or lose access to your account. If you do receive an overdue notice, please let us know by email at either [email protected] or [email protected], and we will renew the items.
All library events through April 1st have been cancelled.
We are not accepting book donations at this time.
Library staff encourage patrons to make the most of available online resources. The Library offers free options to download, stream, and learn on your device. See our website: fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org for more information.
We look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for your continued support of our community and our library.
Download ebooks, audiobooks, comics, TV episodes, movies, music, and more. All you need is your library card login and a valid email address. Ask us if you need assistance.
Download ebooks and audiobooks from the State Library of Kansas. All you need is a Kansas Library eCard. Ask us if you need assistance.
For Kids
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Join our free early literacy program and steer your baby or preschooler toward academic success! Studies show that children who are read to from an early age develop better vocabulary, make more connections in their brains, and form the needed skills to read by themselves much quicker than their average peers who are not read to. Sign up by stopping in at the library for your first reading log, welcome letter, and other paperwork. Take a look at our awesome readers here.
Investigating the suspicious death of a senator who had predicted his murder days before, investigative journalist Jack Logan and the victim’s wife, Taylor, uncover a dangerous plot by a powerful political influencer. 20,000 first printing.
In a conclusion to the trilogy that began with Year One, Fallon finds the limits of her magick skills tested by the needs of the Purity Warrior victims at the same time she is confronted by an old nemesis.
The secret World War II relocation of the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret to an old estate in Ireland becomes subject to the devastations of the Blitz, the resentments of grieving townspeople and suspicions about the girls’ true identities.
A rookie detective in a small New York community investigates the whereabouts of nine missing transients while navigating painful memories about her sister’s unsolved murder years earlier. By the award-winning author of Darkness Peering.
The best-selling authors of Willpower present a revelatory analysis of the negativity bias to explain its inherent role in social, political and professional conflicts, sharing recommendations for balancing phobias with rational strategies.
Learn how declaring God’s love will bless you with favor and fulfillment in this uplifting book that aims to help people find success and spiritual inspiration. By a #1 New York Times best-selling author. 500,000 first printing.
The award-winning author of The Case for God examines how fundamental misunderstandings and misinterpretations of the sacred texts of the world’s primary religions may be at the heart of many of today’s controversies.
* Click to emailus if your business/organization would like to decorate a table for fun advertising & promotion.
* Click to emailus if your business/organization would like to donate a silent or live auction item for advertising & promotion.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
We are looking forward to a fun evening of
celebrating our community!
The Chamber is supported solely by membership investment and fundraising efforts. Proceeds from this event contribute to the work of the Chamber to benefit Fort Scott, Bourbon County, and the surrounding area. Your participation in any way is sincerely appreciated!
