COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) - Tori Hopper was already used to learning a summer reading program on the fly.
Hopper began her role as the Children’s Services and Programming Coordinator at the Columbus Lowndes Public Library on June 2, 2019, right in the busiest time of the year.
“The biggest program of the year for this library is the summer reading program,” Hopper said. “We receive the most useage and the most statistics. We’re trying to help people and their children stay away from the summer slide by making sure we’re a vital resource to them while school is out.”
After graduating with her Masters of Library and Information Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Hopper immediately moved to the Golden Triangle to be with her husband, Devin. Although Hopper is a Nashville native, Devin grew up in Caledonia. The pair met while Hopper was an undergraduate student at the University of Alabama.
“For me, (living here) isn’t necessarily a culture shock because I’m from Nashville,” Hopper said. “But getting used to living in Caledonia and learning how each community works has been a process that I’m not sure if I’ll ever stop learning. You want to pay attention to how people in Columbus use your services at the library vs. people in Caledonia or elsewhere.”
Hopper, who prefers to meticulously plan out projects long in advance, was enthused about what the summer of 2020 might look like with a full 12 months of preparation.
Then, COVID-19 happened. Months of work was washed down the drain.
“I think that’s my biggest COVID-19 adjustment,” Hopper said. “I had all this stuff planned but now I have to rework my entire summer. I just like to get it done in advance.”
Contingency planning became crucial. The program was moved almost entirely online.
“We’re trying to focus on educational and safe ways to bring the summer reading program to people who may not be coming to the library because of the outbreak,” Hopper said. “We won’t encourage large groups throughout the summer. It will be a lot different … We want to provide access for people that don’t have access to the internet but keep everything safe.
Yet, despite the new adjustments, she still relishes finding ways to serve her community.
“I was thrust right into the summer reading program last year and it was very hectic,” Hopper said. “This year, since I’ve had time to plan, I’m OK with changing things. I’m just working really hard to make sure we’re seen as an asset. I’m worried that people will see the library as a non-essential service. That’s what I’m very concerned about. Libraries are a lot more than what we provide in the building. We’re a safe space for people and provide so many resources for people who can’t access them at home, such as job application services.”
On Hopper’s end, she will oversee a Pre-Kindergarten summer reading program from June 1 to August 1, where the goal will be for children to read 20 books.
“It doesn’t have to be 20 different books. You could read the same book 20 times,” Hopper said. “No one is going to come to your house and hunt you down. We’re just trying to keep them reading through this time.”
Progress will be tracked on a tool called Beanstack, a reading challenge software and mobile app. While the library is still finalizing the setup, patrons will eventually be able to log on to their own personalized website and view how many minutes they have spent reading. Prizes will also be offered in the summer reading program, such as bookmarks, stickers, plush swords, coupon packets and so on.
In addition to her normal duties, Hopper has added video production and enhanced social media duties to her plate.
“She’s been great at navigating these waters, as all the staff has,” Library Director Erin Busbea said. “We’ve all had to step up and do things differently and think outside of our normal library box.
“She has done an amazing job,” she added. “She’s been a team player and rolling with the punches.”
LIBRARY UPDATE
According to Busbea, staff started returning to the previously closed Columbus Lowndes Public Library May 4. For a week, staff will reconfigure their workspaces and the library’s computer labs.
A “soft re-opening” is planned for May 11. Busbea said curbside service will be provided for a week and from there the library will expand. Employees will wear masks.
“We just want to do the best social distancing practices that we can,” Busbea said.
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