By MADDY VITALE
A circus hasn’t come to town. But a huge tent certainly has and it is parked — for the entire summer — at the Ocean City Free Public Library for guests to enjoy the outdoors while reading or participating in both library and city programs.
Library Director Karen Mahar noted that the tent was put up outside of the Community Center, at 1735 Simpson Ave., on June 16.
“This tent is for use by the public library and community center entities to be able to offer outside programming for all ages of our community,” Mahar said Tuesday. “We are very excited to be able to offer programming outside, underneath the tent.”
While the concept is not a new one, it was one that seemed to make sense amid the pandemic, officials said. The idea was brought up at recent OCFPL Board of Trustees meetings and discussed with city officials.
Mayor Jay Gillian gave city approval to put up the temporary tent.
“The mayor is certainly excited that the library will be able to use it this summer and provide as many outside programs as possible to the public,” Mayor’s Aide Michael Allegretto said on Tuesday. “Certainly, the library is using it and they offered it to the city to use for city programs as well.”
The tent is being used for programs by the Historical Museum, Art Center and Aquatic and Fitness Center. At this point, Mahar explained that the different entities are going over the schedules.
She added that the Aquatic and Fitness Center currently has some 8 a.m. fitness classes scheduled for under the tent.
“People can check out each entity’s specific websites for a schedule of any programming being held under the tent,” Mahar noted.
Daniel Kelchner, director of the city’s Community Services, said that adding a tent to the Community Center complex for the summer season is a “huge winner for everyone.”
“The added outdoor space will enable the library, Historical Museum, Art Center, and Aquatic & Fitness Center to enhance their summer programing beyond what we could typically fit indoors,” he emphasized. “Expect to see a little bit of everything under the tent this summer, from educational programming to Ocean City history and even some yoga.”
Mahar said patrons of the library should get ready for a host of programs being offered by the librarians under the tent.
“Our young adult librarian, Sara Bruesehoff, will offer all of her young adult programs under the tent, while also offering them virtually, and our children’s librarian, Taimi Kelley, will be having surprise children’s programs under the tent,” Mahar continued.
Mahar emphasized that the library will still offer the scheduled children’s programs virtually as well.
Kelley will even offer children a new featured activity.
She has planned “Musical Mondays” under the tent, weather permitting, Mahar said.
Families are asked to bring a blanket or chair for their children ages 2 to 5 for the entertaining program that will be offered at 10 a.m. on specified Mondays listed on the library’s website.
And for the adults, Julie Howard, the librarian in charge of adult programming, will offer some interesting programs under the tent as well for the already-scheduled virtual programs.
For more details, visit www.oceancitylibrary.org or join the library on social media to stay up-to-date with all of the happenings at the library.
