Submitted by the Lopez Island Library

The Lopez Island Library, in collaboration with the Lopez Island Recovery Network, will be producing a series of virtual public programs intended to keep the people of Lopez informed about the local responses, relief efforts, and recovery movements taking place in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program series is titled “The Village Square,” and will take place every other week, beginning with the first program at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 17. The format will be a live-streamed online Zoom webinar, which the public can join on their smartphones, tablets, and computers by following the links made available on lopezlibrary.org, lopezrocks.org, or lopezisland.recovers.org, and Facebook. There will be a chance to ask questions during the program.

The first The Village Square program on April 17 will be an introduction to the local relief efforts from a couple of key public figures, representing the San Juan County Council, the Lopez Island Family Resource Center, the Lopez COVID Health Support Group, and the Lopez Island Recovery Network. Each organization represented will briefly explain what is being done to help the island community get through the pandemic and work towards recovery, what services are available, and how to access or support those services.

Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions of the panelists, moderated by Lopezian Rhea Miller. The intention of this series is to provide a virtual way for people on Lopez to be connected across their different communities and networks. Future topics will include updates from the schools; information from medical representatives; food access; economic recovery initiatives; and potentially more. Check lopezlibrary.org for information about future Village Square programs. We hope to see you there!