Keeping Sane During the Pandemic
Fun things to do
Here are suggestions for keeping busy, and having a good time.
From the Friends of the Library:
As a fund raising idea for our public library, we were planning to make crafts from old unsaleable books. Well - the virus stopped us from getting together, but perhaps some of our crafty SSCA members would like to watch these videos and give a try at making things that we can sell to support the Swarthmore Public Library. For more information, please contact me at FOSWPL@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Betty Dowling president, Friends of the Swarthmore Public Library
Craft ideas using pages from old books:
Standalone trees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKvPJljPiYQ
More trees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_ghX55C8Cc
Trees within books: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU2gax7t2y0
Miscellaneous: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_9f8kRQigk&t=748s
Origami roses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjIiTgBpwb0
Book angels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTHyPENsVV0
Another angel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4kf75Fj09U
Pumpkin and snowman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQLme1HyoPg
Miniature book ornaments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQNCR9s4Bqs
Go on a photographic tour of Venice!
Entertaining things to do
Resources for movies, books, and games for you and your family
Here are 22 Broadway songs that last 20 seconds, the length of time it is recommended we all wash our hands.
Last Chance Duo was going to be singing for us at Lunch and Learn. Here is a video of them singing one of their songs.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden closed to the public to do its part to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). During the closure, the Zoo plans to offer Home Safari Facebook Lives seven days a week!
Watch 15 Broadway Plays and Musicals from Home
Watch this very short video for a laugh.
Go for a tour of the tulip fields of The Netherlands.
See the clockworks at the Houses of Parliament, known as Big Ben.
The New York Times has a list of what to watch, listen to, and cook while social distancing.
Read a short story by G. Guy Smith called An Irish Love Story, For Christmas.
Learning opportunities
Ways to keep your brain active while you stay at home
50 skills you can learn to do on YouTube.
FROM THE LIBRARY
While the physical library is closed, the Swarthmore Public Library staff has been working to offer new and adapted services online, adding to the range of digital services that had already been available.
Current and upcoming remote services from the library staff are here, with short readings with the library staff (poems and short fiction), storytime videos with Mr. Scott, STEM tutorials, reference help, Ask Mr. Scott! for kids' questions, and podcast recommendations.
eBook and audio book options for all ages can be found here.
Hoopla is a service of our public library that lets library card holders borrow and view eBooks, audiobooks, comics, music, movies, and TV for free from home. Lucy will answer your questions about digital resources including Hoopla at the following times: Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Call the library at 610-543-0436 with your questions.
- This page explains what Hoopla is and how to use it.
- and this is where you sign up and begin using it.
The Delaware County Libraries of digital resources are available here and cover a wide array of topics, including education, languages, history, genealogy, news, and medicine.
If you do not have a library card yet, email your name, address, phone number, and birthday to support@delcolibraries.org, and the county will email back a barcode to access all of their online resources.
Physical activity
Keep your body fit while you keep your distance
Borough Parks are open only for passive and dispersed recreation. No group activities are permitted.
Ridley Creek State Park is closed, except the public is still be able to access trails, lakes, rivers, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed recreation, such as hiking.
The Swarthmore College campus, including the Crum Woods, is open to the public for walking and hiking, using social distancing principles. Buildings and facilities are closed to the public.
Getting Involved
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
5 Ways to Help Your Community Combat Coronavirus (While Still Social Distancing)
Instead of isolating, you can help your neighbors and community in these ways.
NETHER-SWARTHMORE TIMEBANK
TimeBank volunteers will go shopping, pick up prescriptions or other needs from the pharmacy, or do other errands. Join the TimeBank here, or call Stephanie McDonough at 484-437-8272 for more information. You can volunteer just to help those who are not adept at using a computer, taking their requests over the phone and then using the TimeBank software to match them with another volunteer.
Around the House
Could it be that now is a good time to tackle those jobs you've been putting off?
Carrie Kaufman was scheduled to be one of our April Lunch and Learn speakers. This is a post from her blog about getting organized. This is part 1. Part 2 is linked at the end.
Cooking, and grocery shopping, are two things that seem to move to the head of the list of things to think about and do. We have compiled some resources on recipes for a stay-at-home order, along with information about how you can get your food.