by Ann Miller
“Social Distancing” is an ubiquitous term these days with the spread of COVID-19, coronavirus, because it affects all of us. In simple terms, it means that we should avoid physical contact and close proximity to each other.
Book clubs are gatherings of readers sharing in discussion, and in the case of the Book to Art Club, sharing art supplies. Due to the spread of coronavirus in my area, my library has canceled all programs that meet person-to-person for the foreseeable future. You may be finding yourself in a similar situation.
The simplest solution, of course, is to cancel or postpone your book discussions. Although this is disappointing to do, it helps protect you and your club members from getting sick, and that is extremely important. Another option is to meet via video chat, like Skype, Zoom, Facebook Messenger, or Microsoft Teams, just to name a few, or through a conference telephone call.
The Mead Public Library Book to Art Club will be meeting in April and May via Skype, and to keep the making element, I have asked my members to register so that I know how many project making kits to prepare. In April we will be discussing Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger, and I will fill sealable bags with an assortment of fun paper scraps, wire pieces, leftover art supplies, steampunk-inspired cutouts and 3D printed objects, such as gears and clocks. May’s discussion will be Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend, and I will, again, provide take-and-make bags with a few items, like drink umbrellas, cat cutouts, and any of our craft leftovers that I think would be fun to include.
I’ve included links on the book titles, in case you would like to see how I am coordinating this. I would like to emphasize that there is absolutely no shame in simply canceling your book discussion. Safety is the number one priority. I just wanted to provide an alternative option so that things don’t seem so bleak.