Description of the video:
A time of holiday stories and Santa visits and decorations is now for the South Windsor public library a time to make COVID-19 safety accommodations.
Mary Etter, Director of the South Windsor public library sat down with CTLN Opinion + to discuss the challenges of keeping the library accessible and safe for the public. After closing during the initial outbreak the museum re-opened in July to a modified schedule and modified library.
According to Etter, returned books go through a quarantine process before being made available to borrow again. The library itself has also taken precautions to limit the number of people in certain areas as well as greeters to remind visitors of COVID-19 guidelines while visiting the library.
In addressing the racial injustice going on, the library’s ongoing series Opening Doors to Understanding is discussing Social Justice and Racial Equality. The series will continue into 2021 and will include a documentary viewing and discussions.
Here are the upcoming programs in the series:
- December 14, 2020, 7:30 p.m. – Implicit Bias, A presentation and discussion led by Ken Barone of CCSU, including a TEDX talk by Mahzarin R. Banaji, co-founder of Project Implicit at Harvard University
- January 11, February 8, and March 8, 2021, 7:30 p.m. – Discussions of the major segments of the documentary “Race: the Power of an Illusion.” Local individuals will lead community discussions following the three topics of the film: Difference Between Us, The Story We Tell, and The House We Live In
- April 12, 2021, 7:30 p.m. – Culmination of a month-long “One Book/One Community” program.
- May 10, 2021, 7:30 p.m. – Racial Equality: Becoming an Ally; Becoming an Advocate
- A companion program, “How to Talk to Your Child About Race” will be sponsored by the Library’s Children’s Department. Book discussion groups, displays, and other programming will be added as pandemic protocols allow.
