We know most people have a lot of unexpected free time on their hands. The Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) and the Orillia Public Library (OPL) have got your back.
OMAH is closed to the public, but that hasn’t stopped them from offering some innovative digital opportunities to learn new things and be entertained in the process, said communications co-ordinator Heather Price-Jones.
The small staff is working hard to bring you a series of videos and live streams on various entertaining and educational topics including making edible crafts like salt dough and learning about old medical practices and tools. They are even going to bring in their dogs for a fun romp.
“I am going to do a paw print in the salt dough with my dog, but you can do the same thing with your children,” said Price-Jones.
The museum’s schedule of events is evolving week by week, depending on circumstances related to the coronavirus, but they hope they are able to continue coming up with some creative and educational opportunities for families, she said.
“We’re also totally open to other people’s ideas,” she said.
To follow OMAH’s events you can check them out on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/OrilliaMuseum, or Instagram @OrilliaMuseum.
The OPL is bringing families all the great digital programming they already offer and are working on what they can do to augment it, said Sarah Papple, director of children and youth services.
“We have increased Hoopla monthly download limits to five from four, per (library) card,” she said.
Hoopla offers thousands of movies, TV shows, audiobooks, e-books, comic books and music albums.
The library’s hugely talented team has an abundance of energy and ideas and will be directing that energy toward supporting OPL’s thousands of patrons, Papple said.
“Rest assured, we know who we serve and we will do our best to connect with you virtually, the way we usually connect with you, face-to-face,” she said.
Papple said that while they already do a lot of digital programming, she promises there will be something new available to the public very soon.
“This isn’t just a job for us; it’s a mission,” Papple said.
To keep track of what OPL is up to and to learn more about its digital offerings, follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/orilliapubliclibrary or the website.
