The Marshes of Glynn Libraries opened to the public at both the Brunswick Library and St. Simons Library with regular hours of operation starting Wednesday, May 20.

While in the libraries, please avoid close contact with others and cover your mouth and nose with a mask. Remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available. Both libraries will have hand sanitizer out for public use inside the buildings.

Public computers and seating will be available at both libraries. Wi-Fi will remain available from the porches and parking lots, as well as from inside the buildings after May 20.

In the Brunswick Library, Meeting Rooms, Conference Rooms, and Group Study Rooms are still unavailable for use. The Teen Room and Heritage Room will be closed to general browsing, and any materials needed in the space will be available by request.

The libraries will offer limited in-person programming in July. All attendees will be required to wear face masks except for children under age 2. The library will have masks available for those who need them.

A modified version of Curbside Service will still be available for patrons not ready to return to the libraries. Please call the Brunswick Library at 912-279-3740 or the St. Simons Island Library at 912-279-3750 for more information.

“Imagine Your Story” is the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Program. Once again, the Marshes of Glynn Libraries will manage our reading challenge with Beanstack, an online platform for tracking reading and other activities.

Participants can use either the Beanstack website or the Beanstack app to participate. To use the website, visit https://moglibraries.beanstack.org. Visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to download the Beanstack app for your device.

If you already have an account in Beanstack from a previous summer, you can sign in with the same username and password. If you are new to Beanstack, follow the instructions to create an account and add readers.

We will continue with virtual events through June and offer limited in-person programs at our libraries starting in July. All attendees will be required to wear face masks except for children under age 2. The library will have masks available for those who need them.

Download the flyer with our event schedule.

Follow the link for additional information about Beanstack.

A modified version of Curbside Service will still be available for patrons not ready to return to the libraries. Please call the Brunswick Library at 912-279-3740 or the St. Simons Island Library at 912-279-3750 for more information.

If you would like access to the library’s e-books, e-audiobooks, and digital magazines, but don’t have a library card, we are ready to help.

Follow these instructions to sign up for a library card by phone.

• RBdigital offers e-books, e-audiobooks, and downloadable magazines.
• eRead Kids provides access to nearly 10,000 e-books for elementary-aged readers.

If you need assistance, please call one of our libraries or watch one of our tutorials.

Several of our library programs are being offered in a virtual format. Follow the "Read More" link to see the available videos.

• Mark Alan Magic Show: a comedy and magic show that allows families to “imagine their story” - offered as part of our Summer Reading Program - available to watch until July 31.
• Virtual Storytime with KK: beloved storyteller Kelly Greene, aka KK, does storytime on the Brunswick-Glynn Library Facebook page live on Wednesdays at 10:30 in June and July.
• Yoga with Bitsy: 10 recorded one-hour sessions available on our YouTube channel.
• Craft With A Story: Karen Larrick presents a story with an accompanying craft. This is great for grade-school aged kids.The five video series is available on our YouTube channel.
• Cookbook Club: visit the Brunswick-Glynn County Library Facebook Page to request joining this Group.

Learn a language or business skills, prepare for a test, or start researching your family history. Online tools for all of these activities are available in GALILEO, Georgia's virtual library. Patrons can access GALILEO resources with the current GALILEO password or by using their PINES account login. Please contact the library for assistance with either method. Some of our featured resources include:

• Ancestry Library Edition
• Entrepreneurship Learning Initiative
• LearningExpress Library
• Mango Languages

The Marshes of Glynn Libraries are collecting photos and documents from the public to develop a digital archive about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Glynn County. If you would like to submit something to this project, please fill out the form linked below as completely as possible. Before submitting a photo or document, you will be asked to agree to two statements regarding your ownership of that content. Please read carefully before you agree.

Library news and updates will be posted regularly on our social media accounts.

• Brunswick Library Facebook Page
• St. Simons Library Facebook Page
• Marshes of Glynn Libraries YouTube Channel
• Marshes of Glynn Libraries Instagram
• Marshes of Glynn Libraries Twitter

Public Wi-Fi is accessible from the porches and parking lots of both the Brunswick Library and St. Simons Library. Users are asked to maintain social distancing.

Some internet providers have also temporarily opened access to free Wi-Fi hotspots or are providing home internet for free.

• Open Xfinity WiFi Hotspots - Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.
• Complimentary Comcast Internet Essentials Package - Comcast's Internet Essentials - Complimentary 'Internet Essentials' package free for low-income customers for 60 days with no contract (normally $9.95 a month). Speeds are up to 25 mbps and the self-install kit includes a modem and router. People can apply at https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19 or call 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.

Press Releases from the Marshes of Glynn Libraries regarding our response to COVID-19:

• May 18, 2020
• April 13,2020
• April 3, 2020
• April 1, 2020
• March 30, 2020
• March 18, 2020
• March 16, 2020
• March 13, 2020

Information from local governments and organizations regarding COVID-19:

• Glynn County Board of Commissioners
• City of Brunswick
• DPH Coastal Health District
• Southeast Georgia Health System

The Glynn County School System is conducting a Distance Learning Survey to collect feedback from the community should the need arise to return to this format in the future.

Information and guidance about COVID-19 from state and federal governments and agencies

• Georgia Department of Public Health
• State Services in Georgia
• CDC-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Federal Government Information and Updates

Some news sites with extensive local and state coverage of COVID-19:

• Georgia Public Broadcasting
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• The Brunswick News