Roscoe Free Library

It's almost Christmas!!! But I see that 2020 isn't quite finished with us yet because the weather is supposed to be 'interesting' Christmas Eve into Christmas Day. Sigh... But you know, the library is open! We welcome folks three days a week and of course, curbside pick-up is always available when the library is closed. Sadly some of the libraries in the consortium have had to close again due to an up-tick in Covid cases. However, we are being very careful; hand sanitizer, masks, social distancing and limited folks in the library at a time in order to keep all of our patrons and the staff safe. My wish for everyone is for a better/safer/healthier year ahead. And my heartfelt thanks to all who have worked so hard in these difficult times, both in in and out of the library. Happy Holidays and Peace in the coming year. Joyce

The end of this week is going to be interesting! It's Halloween, a full moon, and we set the clocks back one hour. Oh, and there's snow on the horizon for Friday. About Halloween....we will open the library door from 4 - 6 ; kids won't be able to come in but if they open their bags at the door, we'll drop in candy! Masks must be on the kids... We are open!!! Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 - 12 & 1 - 3, masks are mandatory. There's hand sanitizer by the door & if you don't have a mask, we'll give you one. You can order books from other libraries to be delivered here. We are able to fax and photo, and we have one public computer available for use. Our wish is for everyone to stay safe!

September is on the horizon! Did you know that the library was chartered by the state on September 3, 1920? That means the Roscoe Free Library will be 100 years old on Thursday! Normally, (remember that setting on the washing machine?) we'd have a big celebration, but sadly we cannot. We are however, having cake on Saturday outside! We will set up a pop-up tent and from 1 - 3, and pieces of really tasty cake will be handed out to folks that stop by. I hope you will joi...n us as we celebrate many years of dedicated library service for everyone. There will be no change in the hours & days 'open' schedule for the next two months; there are no fines. RCLS hopes to open up more libraries for inter-library loan by October; it's still 'tricky' since everything must be quarantined. (Anything you take out of the library will have been quarantined.) As always, please stay safe! Remember, Cake on Saturday....1 - 3! See more

It's August... 'Normal' is now just a setting on my washing machine! Sigh...so here is the plan for opening the door on a very limited basis.... I will try for August 18, a Tuesday. The hours will be 10 - 12 & 1 - 3 on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday for the next two months. There will be a maximum of 4 patrons in the library at one time with mandatory face coverings. There will be hand sanitizer available at the door and you will need to socially distance. Computer use is ...limited to 30 minutes. We cannot let the kids use the Children's room at this time but parents can get books for them. Returns will be placed in a paper bag and quarantined for seven days. There are NO fines until November. Fax & photocopying will be done by staff & we will ask you to wait outside. Unfortunately, newspapers will not be offered at this time, nor will seating be allowed. We will put a couple of chairs on the porch in case someone needs to sit and wait. Curbside service will always be available, as will be "Blind Date With A Book." You can also now put a hold on material in any of the libraries in Sullivan County. My goal is to keep all of us, patrons and staff, safe in these very uncertain and frightening times. Questions? e-mail [email protected]. See more

And we now come to July! More library news...Although you cannot come into the library, you can still take a book, DVD, book on cd, etc., out. Simply call the library & request anything on our shelves & we will check it out to you. You can also place a hold via your computer but remember you can only see Roscoe's 'stuff'. We will gather up your requests, check them out and place them on the porch in a paper bag. That's what curbside service means. You may use the book ...drop to return material, which will then be placed in quarantine for seven days. This also means anything you take out is 'safe'. We are also offering "A Blind Date With A Book", meaning we choose 5 books & send them out to you, based on your interest. (Mystery, romance, non-fiction or science fiction.) We will still fax & photo for you....just knock on the door & we'll take care of it. I had hoped to open by the end of July but now virus numbers are increasing in other states;, plus we see a lot of summer visitors. I think a safer date will be the first week in August. When we do open the door, it will only be four patrons in at a time. and face coverings are mandatory. (We have lots of hand sanitizer, too, thanks to Prohibition Distillery!) Keep in mind that as of today, you have complete access to anything that's on the shelves but for everyone's safety, it's curbside service.

Oh my it's June already! So, there's several things that I need to post. 1. You may start bringing books back this Friday & Saturday. We will have a table out front to put the books in since they have to go in quarantine for 7 days. There are NO fines. At this time, we cannot check out any books but you get some cookies for bringing them. The book drop will be open on June 15th but it steadfastly refuses to dispense chocolate chip cookies. 2. We will start 'curbside pick...-up' on June 22nd. That means you can place a hold on Roscoe's material by either using the on-line catalog or calling the library. The catalog will be set to search Roscoe items ONLY for the next two to three months. We will place the material in a bag and place it on the porch for you to pick up. For assistance, please call the library at (607-498-5574 between 10 - 12 & 1 -3. 3. We hope to be able to open to patrons by the end of July on a part-time basis and you must wear a face covering to enter. We look forward to providing you with reading, watching and listening materials again! See more

It is with sadness that I let you know that Cutie Pie, our resident Western Hog Nose snake has died of old age, in her favorite sunny spot, looking out the window. She has been a part of the library for nine years and starred in a number of special programs....She loved the sunshine, music, and the New York Times for bedding in her tank. She was a part of our 'everyday library life' and will really be missed!