The library’s reopening has meant staff have had to revamp how services are provided due to strict guidelines from Alberta Health Services. However, program coordinator Monique Poulin said staff is making the best of the situation and people can feel comfortable about making use of the community resource once again.
“There are some different protocols that are happening with the library. We are quarantining the books for three days once returned before they go back out,” she explained, adding that people are also being asked that when they pull a book from the shelf, not to replace it, but to set is aside on a shelving cart if they are not taking it out.
People returning books to the library are also encouraged to make use of the drop box at the door. Curb-side pickup is still available for patrons who prefer not to go into the facility but would like some resources.
“If you don’t want to come into the library, you just have to phone us and arrange to meet us at a certain time outside and you can come pick up the books.”
These types of steps, together with social distancing and reducing the number of available computers to accommodate this, are necessary but shouldn’t negatively impact the staff’s ability to meet the needs of residents, Poulin said.
With about 70 people coming through the doors last Wednesday alone, Poulin cites that as an example to how happy people are to see the facility reopen.
“I think the library is a very active place through the summer for people looking for resources, for things to read, for things to watch – we have movies and DVDs. It’s a safe place for people to come and get out and do something.”
The staff has had to be creative on a number of fronts to deliver summer programming while being mindful of AHS directives. As a result, popular programs such as the summer reading program have had to be re-imagined. Poulin said the uptake on the new format of people picking up activity kits for their children to complete at home, as opposed to the children participating in the weekly programing at the library, seems to be good.
“When they register, they come in and pick up our kit and take it home. It but it has all the things they need to create the crafts and do the activities within that kit,” she said. “They set their own goals for the week, whether it’s a reading goal, exercise goals, art goal or one they determine on their own and then they report back to us what their goals were and if they met them and then they can get prizes.”
Poulin will begin delivering story time every Friday. Like so many other things these day, it won’t be face-to-face, but rather it will be delivered online.
“Basically, it’s me reading a live story, reading into the camera.”
With no in house programming possible at this time, Poulin said staff will use the summer to come with ways and means of delivering regular programing come the fall.
“My job was to bring people into the library, now my job is to continue making the library a part of the community.”
