LOCAL

’Sillywalk course’ at Ionia library offers fun for community

Evan Sasiela
esasiela@sentinel-standard.com
The Ionia Community Library has created a "sillywalk course" on the sidewalks outside of the building, 126 E. Main St. in Ionia.

IONIA — While the Ionia Community Library has been forced to limit its capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, its staff is working creatively to serve as a community resource.

The Ionia Community Library has created a “sillywalk course” on the sidewalks outside of the building, 126 E. Main St., in Ionia.

ICL Director Dale Parus said the series of themed events are loosely inspired by Monty Python’s “The Ministry of Silly Walks” — a classic sketch from the British comedy troupe. The course was another event the library could offer during the COVID-19 pandemic, Parus said.

“We were looking for unique ideas about any way that we could help our community — just with different events that will take their minds off of what’s troubling them for a minute or two,” he said.

The ICL, which is housed in the Hall-Fowler Home, can only allow for 25 percent capacity inside its building due to an executive order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“We figured let’s do something outside,” Parus said. “I have a very creative staff.”

Youth Services Librarian Mike Golczynski and some circulation staff members worked on the course obstacles on Monday, July 20, Parus said. The public can run, hop and zag.

“It’s just something families can do on a whim,” Parus said.

The ICL is encouraging anyone to post photos of themselves at the course on Facebook and Instagram and tag the library.

The plan is for the sillywalk course to be available until nature takes its course, Parus said. He added that the ICL will be looking for more ways to engage with the community then.

“We’ll figure out something after these fade, but they look like they’re going to be around for a couple weeks,” Parus said.

The ICL is down to its final weeks of its summer reading program, which ends Aug. 8. There are prizes available. Those interested in learning more can visit the ICL website: ioniacommunitylibrary.org.

“We’re just glad to be able to contribute something to the community in a meaningful way,” Parus said.

The ICL operates from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. Curbside pickup is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

“We want people in the Ionia community to know we’re open and ready to serve you,” Parus said.

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.

The Ionia Community Library has created a "sillywalk course" on the sidewalks outside of the building, 126 E. Main St. in Ionia.
https://www.sentinel-standard.com/story/news/local/2020/07/28/rsquosillywalk-coursersquo-at-ionia-library-offers-fun-for-community/114340894/
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