Library reopening in phases
By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Strathmore Municipal Library is reopening one chapter at a time.
The library’s three-phase reopening following shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic is underway.
Phase 1 of the reopening started June 23, with limited hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The library is offering an hour exclusively for vulnerable and senior patrons from 10 to 11 a.m. each morning it is open. The library is closed Sundays and Mondays.
One of the biggest changes visitors will notice is limited in-person access to the building, explained Carmen Erison, assistant director of library services.
“What that means is that the public is actually restricted to just the lobby area off the library and they can’t access the main collection of the library,” she said. “That’s mainly to help us with the increase in daily sanitization that we need to do.”
However, the library is employing extra staff who will go into the main stacks and retrieve requested materials, said Erison. There is also a small selection of items available in the lobby area for browsing.
Under this policy, the library is not a gathering space at this time, said Erison.
“As much as we really miss everyone and miss everybody coming to the library, it’s more of a come to the library, access what you need and then move on (situation),” she said.
The library is being described as a “mask friendly zone,” with face masks provided upon request. The number of patrons in the building is being limited, with line-up space marked outside for physical distancing. Library staff have implemented extensive cleaning and disinfecting protocols in accordance with AHS guidelines. Several sanitation stations are provided throughout the library, including one within the main doorway.
Two public computers have been relocated to the fireplace area and two tables have been set up for WiFi device use. However, computer sessions will be limited to 30 minutes, and the use of public computers for gaming and entertainment will be prohibited until further notice. Computers will be sanitized after each use. Headphones are no longer available to borrow.
The library is resuming printing, copying, scanning and faxing services, with staff assisting patrons with whatever is needed. Additionally, wireless printing will be available for laptop users. A new email printing service is being provided, where a document can be emailed to smorelibrary@gmail.com with instructions (colour, double- or single-sided) and staff will provide a printed version at the counter or by curbside pickup.
The curbside pickup book service is ongoing but has been moved to the north side doors facing the library parking lot. “You can go to our website and to the curbside form, just fill out whatever you’re looking for, and we can have that all repackaged and ready to go for you,” said Erison. “Then you simply just come pick it up.”
The outdoor book drop, located to the left of the building’s main doors, will be open 24/7. All items, except for kits, are to be returned to the outdoor drop location, after which they are quarantined for three days.
The library continues to offer free memberships, which are good until the end of the summer, said Erison.
Phase 2 of the library relaunch will see a return to regular hours and full public access to the building. Some public gatherings will be permitted, but the restriction on large public gatherings will remain. Under Phase 3, large events and public gatherings will be permitted, and in-person events and programming will resume.
The timeline of the other phases of opening remains undetermined, and is dependent on current public health and safety precautions, said Erison. “We’re going day-by-day, like most places these days.”