April 2020 - APIA in Northern California

I wanted to come on and add some resources that have been helping me with dealing with the current situation of social distancing and isolation. I know that as an extroverted people person, this has been a trial for me and finding ways to connect with others has been key. Phone calls, zoom meetings, and constant text messaging have all helped me to continue feeling sane and comforted.

Some resources that I have been personally using include:

*Facetime, zoom and google hangout video calls.

*Making ‘dates’ with friends to virtual do activities together. My best friend and I have watched movies at the same time while on the phone together. I also have ‘auntie time’ with my nephews and my nieces, where I just watch them play.

*Playing games with friends. I am currently playing Words with Friends and Evil Apples. Both available on iphone and Android.

Here are two links to some articles with some other ideas and tips for you all….

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-cope-with-loneliness-during-coronavirus-4799661

and here’s some ideas on some new things to do with the kiddos…

https://mommypoppins.com/family/coronavirus-pandemic-update-indoor-activities-resources-kids

Libraries may be closed due to COVID-19, but many librarians are coming up with creative ideas to keep people entertained and promote literacy. One of those creative ideas is free virtual escape rooms. With a variety of themes, some may be fun to do on your own, others as activities with the kids.

Sydney Krawiec, Youth Services Librarian at Peters Township Public Library in McMurray, PA created this Hogwarts Virtual Escape Room. She shared this tutorial on how to create your own virtual escape room, which seemed to spark the creativity of many other librarians.

Some amazing librarians all over the country have been busy creating virtual escape rooms with a variety of themes.

Alice in Wonderland Digital Escape Room – Created by Erin Honeycutt, Children’s Librarian at Moultrie-Colquitt County Library System in Moultrie, Georgia
Cinderella’s Escape – Created by Stefanie Reed, Youth Services Supervisor at Henika District Library in Wayland, Michigan
Dog Man Digital Escape Room – Created by a humble School Library Media Coordinator
Escape from Star Killer Base! (Star Wars) – Created by Richmond Hill Public Library
Escape the Fairy Tale: Part 1 – Created by Marissa Lieberman, Children’s Librarian at the East Orange Public Library, New Jersey
Golden Girls Escape Room – Created by Tomeka.
Hogwarts Virtual Escape Room – Created by Sydney Krawiec, Youth Services Librarian at Peters Township Public Library in McMurray, Pennsylvania
Marvel’s Avengers: Escape from the Hydra Base! – Created by Richmond Hill Public Library
North Carolina Escape Room – Created by Shannon Grimes, Outreach Storyteller and Youth Service Assistant at the Davie County Public Library in Mocksville, North Carolina
Pete the Cat and the Birthday Party Mystery – Created by the Abington Free Library in Abington, Pennsylvania
Pikachu’s Rescue – Created by High River Library
Sherlock Holmes Digital Escape Room – Created by Sherlock the Musical
Space Explorer Training- Digital Escape Room – Created by Morgan Lockard, Adult/Teen Services Librarian at Campbell County Community Library
Spy Apprentice Adventure – Created by Lauren Rura and Felicia Brock, Adult Service Librarians at Washington-Centerville Public Library in Centerville, Ohio
The Minotaur’s Labyrinth Escape Room – Created by Karen Liu (Salt Lake County), Teen Librarian at The County Library’s Riverton Branch

Special thanks to the Humboldt County Library in Winnemucca, Nevada for gathering info on many of these escape rooms. Follow them on Facebook for their storytimes and weekly Facebook Live Science Time on Fridays.

Image: Canva.com

APIA in Northern California

Monthly Archives: April 2020

Dealing with Boredom and Loneliness During the Pandemic

Social Distancing: Free Virtual Escape Rooms