Though the Stuart Public Library has been open only for curbside checkout services because of the pandemic, they still strived to engage with area children during their grab-and-go summer reading program.

Library Director Lisa Sherman says this COVID-19 modified program was a huge success, with over 50 families participating each week. On Tuesdays, kids got to pick up the packets outside the library which included crafts ready to make, kid-friendly recipes, games, and jokes. Sherman adds the program received support from local businesses including The Shirt Shack, “We even were able to get out some great end-of-the-summer prizes for each participant, which included t-shirts, cookie vouchers from Subway and gift certificates from Los Altos. We were very happy with the participation we received, but still missed getting to see the kids in person.”

The library is quiet inside as Sherman and Assistant Librarian Katie Reynolds answer phone calls and emails, and sanitize their books, but they’ve also been engaging passerby readers the last several months with a “story walk” on the west-facing windows of the building. Sherman says they have displayed four books so far on the windows for families to read, and the most recent is about sharks. Sherman says she enjoys receiving waves and smiles from patrons as the library is going through unprecedented times.