Exeter Public Library

COVID-19 Edition 4/14/2020

Exeter Public LibraryCOVID-19 Edition 4/14/2020

We miss you!

We miss seeing all of you. There are lots of you out there that we see at least once a week and it's an odd feeling not to be able to serve you in the way we usually do.

But we are doing our part to stop the spread of the virus and keep everyone as healthy as possible and hope you are too!

All public library buildings continue to be closed!

Per the recommendation of the RI Department of Health, all Rhode Island public library buildings are closed through May 8th, but we don't know exactly when we will reopen. This is as weird and scary for us as it is for you!


  • The due date on all library materials has been extended and all fines will be waived for materials due back while we are all closed. You can ignore all the automatic library notices you receive during this time. Your library card will not expire during this period either.

  • Please hang on to the library materials you have at home. You can return them when we re-open. We've closed our bookdrop for now.


  • You may have heard that some libraries are offering curbside delivery. This is not something we are going to do right now, but it's possible we may try it in the future as the pandemic slows down.


  • There is no statewide delivery of library materials during this time. The ability to place holds on materials has been turned off in the library catalog because no one is available to fill them. It will be restored once most libraries have re-opened.


  • Please consider our playground CLOSED. There is no way of physically closing our playground - but please remember that this virus can live on hard surfaces for up to three days.


For more information on the closure of RI's public libraries you can visit Ocean State Libraries' website or the site of the Office of Library and Information services.

Use the Library Online

Visit Ocean State Libraries eZone for the state-wide catalog of audio and eBooks for adults, teens and children. If you haven't used the site before, their Help Page has useful "Getting Started" information. You will need your library card number and a PIN to login. (If you haven't created your own PIN in our online catalog and you got your card at the Exeter Public Library, try the last 4 digits of your library card number.)


Askri.org is a suite of online resources that is available to all Rhode Islanders. You can learn a new language, use an encyclopedia, study for tests and so much more.


Stay at Home Storytime - our own Miss Aimee has created a You Tube channel where she will be posting some recorded Storytimes for you to enjoy with your children


If you need a new library card or renew an old card, you can apply for a temporary card here.

Online Book Fair!

We are hosting a virtual book fair with Usborne Books. Shop online for books for children and teens. Your purchases will be matched 50% in free books to benefit locals families in need for books for their home.

https://j5313.myubam.com/

Declaration of a State of Emergency in Exeter

With recent events occurring at a rapid pace, we wanted to ensure you that the Town of Exeter is Committed to keeping all you as informed as possible.


With the assistance from our Town Council President, Cal Ellis, Town Clerk, Lynn Hawkins and Town Solicitor, James Marusak, we have drafted a local declaration of emergency.


What this means is that our community is aligning with Federal and State declarations that are currently in place. Click here to download the document.

Exeter Town Hall Closed to the Public

In light of the COVID-19 epidemic/pandemic and in the best interest of the health and safety of you and our staff, THE TOWN HALL BUILDING IS CLOSED TO ALL PUBLIC ENTRY.


SERVICE IN PERSON WILL BE ARRANGED ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Please use our lock box or U.S. mail to deliver documentation. It will be processed and returned to you via U.S. mail timely manner, unless arrangements are made for pickup.


For services requiring person-to-person interaction (such as marriage licenses and notarization) or questions, please contact the proper department online at www.town.exeter.ri.us. Your email will be answered timely and an appointment will be scheduled if necessary.


For services requiring immediate action, please contact the phone number for the proper department. Department phone numbers can also be found online.


UPDATE: In an effort to keep us and the public safe during this unfortunate COVID-19 Pandemic, we at Town Hall, as many of you know, have been adhering to best practices, per Governor Raimondo’s recent orders, in continuing Town government. With that, after much deliberation, we have decided to close Town Hall on Fridays, until we are free to do business as usual. The staff at Town Hall will be monitoring emails and phone calls from home. Mondays through Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Town Hall will continue to be physically staffed. We apologize for any inconveniences. We trust you understand in these challenging times. We are doing our best to serve in the most efficient ways under the circumstances. We wish you safe and well!!!

Resources shared by Exeter's Dept of Social Services

This information was posed on Exeter's Department of Social Services Facebook page


  • Do you or someone you know need some assistance with -->
    - food or basic household supplies
    - pick up and delivery of ordered prescriptions, groceries or household supplies
    - Help navigating social services
    - Financial due to loss of work
    - Non-emergency, but essential, transportation
    - Other:
    Please reach out to 294-3176 or via email at socialservices@town.exeter.ri.us


  • For seniors who are home bound and anyone immune -compromised - we have Project Hello. This project pairs a volunteer with a resident for weekly wellness check-ins via phone. Interested parties should call The Point at 462-4444.


  • For residents who qualify for SNAP, LIHEAP, or are front line essential employees - we have $10.00 vouchers good for Little Country Pizza, Exeter Town Pizza, EMMA Acres, Our Kids Farm and Chef Marty at Wolf Rocks Catering. Limited vouchers and a screening process.


  • For any resident who has lost their job, lost wages or lost hours - MUST be due to COVID-19 -we have a grant to help cover basic needs including food, clothing, housing/rental assistance, prescriptions, utilities, transportation,childcare for homeless, and toiletries. Limited funds and a screening process.


  • For residents who meet the income guidelines - we have a small grant to help cover basic needs, education or physical/mental health help. Limited funding and a screening process.


  • For seniors who are home bound or anyone immune-compromised - we have a weekly URI prepared meal. It is delivered by volunteers on Fri./Sat.


  • For all residents - we have the food bank.


  • For all EWG students - they can receive breakfast and lunch as long as they are a student. Contact Bob Ross at 401-397-5125.


Additional Food Pantries that serve Exeter --->

* RICAN 805 Alton Carolina Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813 - Call for hours

(401) 364-9412

* Project Hand Up - obtain everyday groceries at a fraction of the cost.

15 Factory St. West Warwick Must check their facebook page for hours https://www.facebook.com/groups/760470710772856/


  • The Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need (RICAN) is open in Charlestown for drive up pick up. It is open on Wednesday mornings, Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings. Their number is 401-364-9412


  • From Belmont Market: In conjunction with the wonderful people at Southern Rhode Island Volunteers, our hotline will be open on Tuesday and Thursday to provide same-day shopping services to seniors in Charlestown, Richmond, Hopkinton, and Exeter. Complete with free delivery. Simply call 401.783.4664 tomorrow morning between 7:30 am and noon and have your groceries delivered the same day. Our cashier will call you directly for a credit or debit card so you don't need to worry about exchanging monies. Thank you to the wonderful volunteers for offering their assistance.


  • Roch’s Fresh Foods is offering delivery across the state, and offers two convenient ways to order, by emailing or calling either site. Their weekly ad and convenient inventory list can make shopping with Roch’s easy.


Askri.org Resources

Askri.org is a state-wide resource of online information.


The newest resource they've added is Udemy - an online learning platform for adults. They have a robust collection of online classes for business and personal development. You will need a RI library card number to access the site. You can apply for a new card here.

Access to more resources!

We are providing access to some Infobase online resources through July 1st.


Follow the link below and enter the login information to access:


Ferguson's Career Guidance Center

Today's Science

Science Online

World News Digest

Health Reference Center

World Almanac for Kids

Access Video on Demand


Here is the link: http://online.infobaselearning.com/Default.aspx


Username: 3075377-user

Password: digital

Tumblebook Library

TumbleBook Library is a free collection of animated talking picture books, read-alongs, ebooks, quizzes, lesson plans, and educational games as well as audiobooks for all ages and a collection of romance novels.


TumbleBook Library K-6 children’s ebook database

TumbleMath - K-6 math ebook database

TeenBookCloud - Grades 7-12 ebook database

AudioBookCloud - All ages audio book database

RomanceBookCloud - Romance novels for the older crowd

Travel in your pajamas

  • Take a Rhode Tour and learn some Rhode Island history



  • The Metropolitan Opera is releasing a previously recorded Live Stream of a performance each day




Stories for Kids

  • Storyline Online - The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.

Some trusted COVID-19 websites

Rhode Island Department of Health Coronavirus Disease 2019

​​Rhode Island Department of Health COVID-19 Info Line:
​401-222-8022
(Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm) or after hours: Call 211
Email: RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov

Workplace Fact Sheet for Rhode Islanders - from RI Dept of Labor & Training

BH Link - Rhode Island's mental health crisis line
401-414-LINK (5465)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers from the CDC
​
World Health Organization (WHO)

Coronavirus vs the Flu - from Johns Hopkins University

Coronavirus Disease 2019 - from the Food & Drug Administration


What is Social Distancing? - from Johns Hopkins University

How long does a virus stay contagious? - from PBS.org

How to do a really good job washing your hands - from NPR


This is how long Coronavirus survives on surfaces - from Newsweek