Libraries Ready To Reopen
Bookworms across the South Shore will soon be able to get their fix as public library branches are preparing to reopen across the region.
Chief Librarian at South Shore Public Libraries Troy Meyers says he and the other chief librarians in Nova Scotia will be on a conference call Tuesday with the province’s chief medical officer for health, Dr. Robert Strang to set guidelines for reopening.
While he looks forward to hearing the directives from Dr. Strang, Meyers says he and his staff are already making preparations to reopen.
“We’re just really excited to get back and open the doors. We know that there’s probably going to be a little bump in the road still, but we’re going to continue to serve people. We’re going to do it safely and securely and [we] can’t wait for it.”
The library got a jump on reopening by ordering glass dividers, like those keeping cashiers from customers at grocery stores, back in March.
But Meyers says that’s about the only similarity between the retail outlets and how the library will operate.
“We’ve made our public spaces as wide and as accommodating as possible. When people do come into a public library, it’s meant to be that free-range browsing experience. We want people to still be able to do that, so I don’t want to force people to go in a certain direction like you’ll see in the supermarkets.”
Library staff will be disinfecting surfaces and there will be personal protective equipment, wipes and hand sanitizer available for patrons.
Many people think a library is only there to offer books, but Meyers points out community programming and computer services are just as much a part of their operations.
He says covers have been ordered for all their computer keyboards so they can be wiped down and safely used by the public.
The South Shore’s chief librarian is pleased to say no library staff had to be let go because of COVID-19, and those familiar faces who feel comfortable doing so, will be waiting to greet the community when the doors reopen.
While the buildings have been closed during the pandemic, the library has continued to provide curbside book pick-up.
Meyers also believes this region may be the only one in the country still operating the bookmobile mobile library service.
He says people are grateful they can still access books and their wi-fi connection in their remote communities.
“People just say, hey, you know what, this is a lifeline for me. I don’t know what I would do just stuck in. I’m not a Netflix person. I’ve always been a reader and I’ve read everything in the house. Now that you guys are bringing me stuff, I’m going to get through this.”
Meyers reflects there likely won’t be many positives to be found in the legacy of the coronavirus but is hopeful there may be one good takeaway.
“This might be one where, people will be more respectful of each other’s space when they’re in public together and I think that’s a very good thing.”
That’s a lesson he hopes patrons take to heart when libraries once again throw open their doors in the next few weeks.
Reported by Ed Halverson
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson