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Local libraries reopening
Stephen Tipper
Arrowwood's library is among the local libraries that has reopened. Photo by Stephen Tipper /Vulcan Advocate
A couple of local libraries are now open to the public while two more are providing a curbside service for patrons.
Milo's library reopened June 16, Champion's library on June 17, and Vulcan's library on June 22. Messages outside Arrowwood's Mary Block Library read that the library reopened on Tuesday, June 23. Carmangay's library is offering curbside pickup and/or delivery.
Local libraries reopening Back to video
"It's nice to have patrons," said Joanne Monner, the manager of the Milo Library and Archives, on June 16.
Milo's library had been closed for three months, with March 13 being the last day the library was open. The library has been offering a curbside pickup, and that service is still available on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Milo's library is back to its regular hours, but with a maximum of four patrons allowed inside the library at one time, said librarian Joanne Monner.
Patrons are asked to use the hand sanitizer at the entrance.
While the library is open, the kids' play area is closed, the kids' computer has been put away, and one public computer is accessible, said Monner. Browsing is allowed.
"It looks quite different," said Monner.
The library won't offer extended hours this summer, she said
The Champion Municipal Library is also back to its regular hours. Curbside service also continues to be offered.
The library asks that patrons respect physical distancing and use the supplied hand sanitizer station.
Patty Abel, the library's manager, said the number of patrons allowed into the library at one time is at her discretion.
One person at a time may use a public computer, but a family may use up to two at one time, she said.
Public computers are wiped down after each use.
The Carmangay and District Municipal Library began offering pickup and/or delivery on June 12, reads a Facebook post. Curbside and delivery services take place Tuesday and Friday by appointment.
"We are still not open to the public but will continue to do pickup and deliveries two days a week," reads a Thursday post on the Carmangay and District Municipal Library's Facebook page.
Connie Clement, the manager of Vulcan Municipal Library, met with the library's board on June 17, and they have agreed to open the library Monday, June 22 with restrictions. The library is opening Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library will not be open on Saturdays.
"We are happy to open our doors again to provide this service to our community and be able to see everybody, at a distance of course, and ask that our requests are respected so we can continue to move forward," wrote Clement in an email sent to the Advocate on Thursday.
Patrons will be asked to use the sanitizer provided when first entering the library, wrote Clement.
Masks will be available for patrons – provided courtesy of Chinook Arch Regional Library System – if they wish, she wrote.
Patrons may come inside and select their items for checkout, or ask staff to place holds, wrote Clement.
"We ask that the handling of books and DVDs are held to a minimum," she wrote.
Computers will be available for use, but the procedure has been modified. Anyone using the computers must sign in at the front desk. Thirty-minute sessions are available, and sanitizer must be used before patrons use the computers. Users must also sign out at the front desk.
"By checking in and out this allows us ensure that the computer station is cleaned before another user needs it," wrote Clement.
After every session, staff will clean the computer station for the next user.
"Patrons may notice a change in the library in regards to the sneeze guard surrounding the (circulation) desk, not all computers will be available, many chairs will be moved" and many stations will have sanitizer nearby.
"We ask that patrons coming in wanting to use the WiFi also only stay for the 30-minute visit," she wrote.
Coffee and water will still be available, but coffee and water cups will not be provided – people will need to bring their own, wrote the library's manager.
"We will be asking people to practise social distancing while in the library to the best of their ability and respect others and staff at all times."
Curbside service is still available upon request, and the book drop is always open.
"We would rather prefer at this time that (the book drop) is used as all items coming back into the library must be quarantined for 72 hours," Clement wrote.
As of Thursday, almost all libraries within Chinook Arch are sharing their resources, which means that patrons can place holds on many more items, wrote the manager of Vulcan's library.
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