By MADDY VITALE
Talk about exceptional library service. The Ocean City Free Public Library is in full swing with its popular program, “Library Beach Book Bashes” on 14th Street beach, bringing books to avid readers vacationing and living in the resort.
On Thursday, library staff members were all set up at their blue library tent, to the side of the long beach mat walkway. It was the third book bash of the summer. The remaining ones are scheduled for Aug. 10 and Aug. 24. They all run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The program perfectly “melds two great things,” Adult Librarian Julie Howard said from the tent as she straightened some of the giveaways and books.
“People love books and they love the beach. We are just making it easy for them to pick their books,” she said. “It’s exciting and fun.”
Visitors to the tent have a lot of free books to choose from. There were big, heavy, serious books, along with light reading selections, adult fiction and young adult choices, as well as children’s books.
Howard, librarian Kyle Stanley and library assistant Victoria McCulley chatted with beachgoers as they walked onto the beach.
“We are trying to meet people where they are in Ocean City,” Howard said. “We want people to know we are here in the summer – we are here year-round.”
Library Director Karen Mahar called the program “awesome.” She noted that the staff does a wonderful job bringing the program to the community on the beach.
She added that Children’s Librarian Taimi Kelley, who read on the beach on July 13, was a major hit. Kelley reads to the children at the library each week.
“Library Beach Book Bashes” began in 2016 and continue to grow in popularity, library staff noted.
Jaci Sloan, of Lexington, Ky., and her best friend, Jamie Cohen, of Pittsburgh, make Ocean City a home away from home for a week each summer. The duo grew up together in Pennsylvania.
They are very familiar with the library’s program on the beach and said they enjoy it.
“I always like to take something back from Ocean City,” Sloan said as she browsed the books with Cohen. “We’ve been visiting Ocean City for years and have stopped by here many times.”
Cohen added that the program is not only great for adults, but it gets all ages interested in reading.
“So many kids come down on vacation. This is a way to help get them into the library,” she said.
Howard said that the “Library Beach Book Bashes” have been successful year after year because of people such as Sloan and Cohen.
Typically, before beachgoers even put their gear down, they grab a book or two or just chat with the staff and take a few giveaways, such as bookmarks, coin holders, beach balls, sunglass straps, and other trinkets and items.
“It’s just really great outreach. I work at the front desk and I see people from all over,” McCulley said. “It’s a nice way to bring people into the library.”
Stanley noted that the library tent appeals to tourists.
“It’s great for people who are down for the week. It gets their attention,” Stanley said.
Aside from checking out books and other materials, the Ocean City Free Public Library offers loads of virtual and in-person programming that visitors can take advantage of, even without a library card, Stanley emphasized.
“We want people to come by, even if they are just here for a week, to see what the library has to offer,” Stanley said.
Howard, Stanley and McCulley agreed that the top phrases they hear from beachgoers who stop by the tent are, “Cool idea” and “I love the library.”
To learn more about the Ocean City Free Public Library, located at 1735 Simpson Ave. in the Community Center, visit www.oceancitylibrary.org.
