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Chester Public Library to Host ‘Yum-raising’ Through Dec. 4

November is usually a busy month for the Chester Public library.

“We are usually preparing for our winter holiday book sale,” said Stephanie Romano, library director.

But due to safety considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic, “we are not doing that. Just because of the handling of books and the donations. We don’t want our volunteers…to feel compromised in any way.”

In its place, the library is hosting an online fundraiser with See’s Candies from Nov. 1 to Friday, Dec. 4 to benefit Friends of the Chester Public Library.

Romano had received a flyer in the mail for what the candy company describes as a “yum-raising.”

“It’s contactless, it ships directly to the end user, and who doesn’t love chocolate?” Romano asked.

The Chester Public Library’s virtual storefront is available from the front page of the library’s website at chesterct.org. Once individuals create an account, items such as different sized boxes of chocolate, toffee, or lollypops can be selected for purchase. The items are shipped directly from See’s Candies to the recipient.

The library’s fundraising goal is $1,000.

Funds raised by the campaign will be used by the Friends of the Chester Library to purchase new DVDs for the library’s adult and children’s collections. It will also help support the offering of free or discounted museum passes and a variety of different programming for adults and children.

Some examples of the children’s programming offered by the library during the pandemic include socially distanced story times, which took place at North Quarter Park this summer and fall, and grab ‘n go crafts.

The library, at 21 West Main Street in Chester, was closed for four months due to the pandemic, but it quickly pivoted to offering patrons e-books, audio books, and e-magazines through online services such as Hoopla.

Upon reopening its doors during the first week of August, the library implemented several safety procedures outlined by the state’s reopening guidelines. These include limited hours, socially distanced computers, capacity limits, and no indoor seating. Curbside pick-up of materials continues to be available.

Romano noted how the pandemic has affected the library and the Chester community, saying, “It’s unfortunate, we’re such a social community and the library is such a social place for people to come and hang out.”

Interior renovations were also made to the library while it was closed to the public. The updates include new flooring and carpeting, fresh paint, and new lighting.

“We were so excited to show it off,” said Romano, adding that COVID-19 precluded any celebratory event.

While the library continues to adapt to the pandemic, its new fundraiser will potentially help reduce any financial impact to friends group from the loss of its regular book sale fundraisers at the Chester Fair and during the holidays.

Romano said that the library is trying the See’s Candies fundraiser “for a month, to see how it would take off.”