The 8th Day Talks With Samantha Ashby From Peter White Public Library

Marquette, MI – June 6th, 2021 – Todd Pazz of The 8th Day sat with Samantha Ashby to talk about the Peter White Public Library staying open during the pandemic and afterwards.

Samantha Ashby is the Head of Adult Services at PWPL. She’s the one who gets to purchase all of the library’s contents: books, magazines, and other media. Samantha mentions that although the library shut down for a short period of time. The PWPL opened for computer appointments in July 2020 paired with curbside services. They opened fully on January 25th, 2021 for the public.

Library Services

The PWPL has many services that the public was once able to take full part in before the pandemic. Now that we’re entering a life post-COVID some of the restrictions are being lifted.

Samantha brought up the private study rooms that library card holders can take advantage of to use for practicing presentations and zoom meetings. She also was unsure, but confident, that the community room can be rented out. However, capacity limits may be applied to ensure public health and safety. They’re working on getting the Shiras Room open for public use and are very close to completing it. Samantha also mentioned they are going to be hosting various events, but are planning to have them outside as long as the weather permits it.

In terms of reference material, Todd brought up the use of geneology references at the library. Samantha mentions that they’ve been doing geneology help via Zoom for the last year. They’re hoping to bring back in-person help in the fall.

Coronavirus

Samantha told The 8th Day that she was positive for COVID-19 earlier in the year. After having the virus, she wrote about her experience and submitted it to the Marquette County Stories of the Pandemic. It’s the PWPL’s project with the Marquette Regional History Center where they’re trying to collect people’s personal stories and experiences during the pandemic.

Todd Pazz brought up the importance of the Stories of the Pandemic from a historical stand-point. The project really sheds light on the severity and realness of the pandemic, and how close to home it really hit some people. Its also important to archive these experiences to give the public a reference point if something as severe as the coronavirus, polio, or the Spanish flu were to happen again.

The Peter White Public Library does keep a “covid file” for the public to look to for recent news regarding the virus, and to look at the virus from the beginning.

Other information regarding the library’s many resources are available at their website, here.

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