Oliver Chenard, James Prendergast Library associate, creating an erupting volcano science-themed video that has been posted on the James Prendergast Library’s Facebook page at James Prendergast Library Association. Library officials are posting videos of storytime and science-based activities online while the facility is closed due to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak.

Learning how to make an erupting volcano, participating in a kettlebell workout and discovering that city sidewalks used to be cleared by horse drawn snowplows are just a few of the interesting videos being posted by local organizations while being closed because of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak.

“We want to be there for our community during this tough time, in anyway possible,” said Annie Greene, James Prendergast Library executive director. “While we are unable to keep our doors open, we can still continue with our mission of promoting lifelong learning in the community by offering free programming for children, and sharing access to online resources for all ages. In this way, we’re still connecting with our patrons and helping our community, even though we’re not operating from the library building.”

Greene said library staff is performing storytime Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m., with library workers reading several picture books and asking open-ended questions for children to answer at home while they watch the videos, which are online at the library’s Facebook page at James Prendergast Library Association. Also on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., the library is sharing videos from Storyline Online, a site that features celebrities reading stories.

Monday through Friday at 2 p.m., library staff members are posting videos of them demonstrating a science-based activity that children can try at home.

“So far, we’ve made slime, created a vinegar and baking soda volcano that erupts, experimented with density levels and discussed making your own science notebooks,” Greene said. “We welcome suggestions from our viewers as well.”

Kacey Shelters, YMCA Jamestown Area YMCA wellness director, performing a kettlebell exercise routine video that has been posted to the Y’s Facebook page at YMCA of Jamestown. Shelters plans to continue posting workout videos online until the YMCA can reopen its facilities.

The most popular video posted so far has been the erupting volcano, with more than 1,200 views, Greene said.

“We’ve seen a lot of engagement with our videos right from the start, which is exciting because we expect more people to tune in as they hear about the videos. We’ve seen a major increase in activity on our Facebook page, with more users engaging with our posts and viewing our videos. We’ve also gained several dozen new followers in the past week,” she said. “People are continuing to view the videos for days after they’re posted.”

JAMESTOWN AREA YMCA

The Jamestown Area YMCA has been posting videos of Kacey Shelters, wellness director, working out a home for community members to participate along with while the Y is closed because of the pandemic.

“When this all started, Mark Eckendorf (Jamestown Area YMCA CEO) gave me a heads up about virtual classes in case we had to close down. So when it happened, I already had a plan on what to do,” she said. “I know it’s really hard when you’re at home and you don’t know what to do or where to start, and you have a lack of motivation. So I like to motivate people and keep them moving.”

Shelters said through the YMCA’s Facebook page at YMCA of Jamestown, people can sign up for a free 60-day trial of Mossa Move at mossamove.net.

“I encourage anyone in the community to go on (the YMCA’s Facebook page) and use the link to get a free work out for 60 days,” she said. “Also from YUSA at YMCA360.org, there are a ton of workouts too. ”

The staff at the YMCA also started a private Facebook page for members so they can continue discussing with each other about their workouts while not being able to be together.

“The group classes are about being together. The group setting is super important. So we started the Facebook group exclusively for Y members.”

“This is has given our members a place to communicate with each other,” she said. “It’s really good to keep members connected. Everyone is posting what they did that day. We are sharing our workouts. Group exercise is a huge part of it. So getting people in a group setting, even virtually, is super important.”

Eckendorf said even though YMCA facilities are closed, Y officials still are in need of the community’s support. He said Y officials are asking members to donate their dues to the YMCA while they are closed. He added, so far, a lot of members have.

FENTON HISTORY CENTER

Once people are done working out their bodies, they can visit the Fenton History Center’s Facebook page to exercise their brain. Victoria Park, Fenton curator, has been posting videos giving a history lesson about items inside the museum. A horse drawn snow plow that used to be used to clear city streets, a World War II nurses uniform, a Bottini’s peanut roaster and a chair former Gov. Reuben Fenton used to use are videos that have been posted so far.

“I just got promoted to curator two weeks ago and I’ve wanted to post videos for awhile, so this seemed like a good opportunity,” Parker said.

Parker said she created 24 videos and will produce more if needed. She said one is being posted each day Monday through Friday. She added that creating the videos became a family affair because her mother, Lorna Parker, is the camerawoman.

“We kind of just walked around and I would say, ‘I can talk about this for awhile. Let’s try that,”’ Victoria Parker said. “I often have tours and groups in the museum, so I’m used to talking about items.”

In the coming weeks, Victoria Parker said videos will also be posted on Facebook for a new “Kid’s Corner” program the museum is running. For more information about the program, visit fentonhistorycenter.org.