Despite COVID-19, King County libraries still put on a show

In March 2020, King County Library System was poised to present its first-ever KCLS Reel Fest Film Premiere and Awards Show at the IKEA Performing Arts Center in Renton.

Then came the pandemic. And like other large gatherings that were postponed or cancelled to help stop the spread of COVID-19, Reel Fest was put on hold, too.

After months of working through challenging logistics and technical hurdles, the show went on. Reel Fest was held as a virtual event Sept. 28. The winners are below.

The short-film contest asked the question, “What does the library mean to you?” and 115 patrons responded. In all, 91 creative and heartwarming videos were submitted. Winners were announced in both youth and adult categories, and the top three took home cash prizes donated by the KCLS Foundation.

KCLS continues to find other ways to increase access to our collection while libraries are closed. A recent policy revision now enables patrons to renew books and other physical materials up to five times, as long as the items are not on hold for another borrower. Also, while due dates for physical items are still in effect, KCLS has extended no fines until Dec. 31. We do, however, encourage patrons to return their items as soon as possible so that other patrons who are waiting can enjoy them.

KCLS is always looking for creative, leading-edge ways to serve our patrons. And we continue to do so, now more than ever.

KCLS Reel Fest Winners

Youth Category Winners (ages 17 and younger)

■ 1st Place ($1,000): Safir Azam, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid Doodles” (Lake Hills Library)

■ 2nd Place ($700): Aidan Springer, “Treehouse” (Newport Way Library)

■ 3rd Place ($500): Matthew Perry and Andrew Schmidt, “The Chronicles of KCLS” (Newport Way Library)

Runners-Up:

■ Janet Chang, “My Library Story” (Newport Way Library)

■ Carmina Cruz, “Libraries Don’t Just Equal Books” (Covington Library)

Adult Category Winners (ages 18 and older)

■ 1st Place ($1,000): Amye Bronson-Doherty, “KCLS on the Road” (Federal Way Library)

■ 2nd Place ($700): Alexander Tsway, “Ozzy in Space” (Bellevue Library)

■ 3rd Place ($500): Arthur Klepchukov, “Aisles of Ideas” (Shoreline Library)

Runners-Up:

■ Whitney King, “First Stop the Library” (Renton Highlands Library)

■ Alicia Wengreen, “Blue, Grey, Kaleidoscope Play” (Auburn Library)

Visit kcls.org/reelfest to watch the production and see the films.

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Lisa Rosenblum is the director of the King County Library System.