PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — When public libraries shut down this spring, several local ones took a cue from convenience stores.
In lieu of the weekly story hours and Lego club nights, they began to offer grab-and-go activities to occupy their socially distanced patrons.
Crafting proved a welcome diversion through stay-at-home orders and business closures. Now, as chilly weather steadily creeps up on tri-state-area residents, the free kits offer a convenient distraction for both the young and old.
“It definitely makes for a smoother day,” said Annika Wontor, who moved to Platteville in late 2019 and discovered the Platteville Public Library’s Grab and Go Kits after the pandemic caused the facility to shut down in the spring.
In lieu of programming, the institution provides activities, often inspired by do-it-yourself project ideas found on Pinterest, that…