Bookworms across the South Shore will soon be able to get their fix as public library branches are preparing to reopen across the region.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s chief medical officer for health, Dr. Robert Strang to set guidelines for reopening.<\/p>\n
While he looks forward to hearing the directives from Dr. Strang, Meyers says he and his staff are already making preparations to reopen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just really excited to get back and open the doors. We know that there\u2019s probably going to be a little bump in the road still, but we\u2019re going to continue to serve people. We\u2019re going to do it safely and securely and [we] can\u2019t wait for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The library got a jump on reopening by ordering glass dividers, like those keeping cashiers from customers at grocery stores, back in March.<\/p>\n
But Meyers says that\u2019s about the only similarity between the retail outlets and how the library will operate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve made our public spaces as wide and as accommodating as possible. When people do come into a public library, it\u2019s meant to be that free-range browsing experience. We want people to still be able to do that, so I don\u2019t want to force people to go in a certain direction like you\u2019ll see in the supermarkets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Library staff will be disinfecting surfaces and there will be personal protective equipment, wipes and hand sanitizer available for patrons.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He says covers have been ordered for all their computer keyboards so they can be wiped down and safely used by the public.<\/p>\n
The South Shore\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
While the buildings have been closed during the pandemic, the library has continued to provide curbside book pick-up.<\/p>\n
Meyers also believes this region may be the only one in the country still operating the bookmobile mobile library service.<\/p>\n
He says people are grateful they can still access books and their wi-fi connection in their remote communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople just say, hey, you know what, this is a lifeline for me. I don\u2019t know what I would do just stuck in. I\u2019m not a Netflix person. I\u2019ve always been a reader and I\u2019ve read everything in the house. Now that you guys are bringing me stuff, I\u2019m going to get through this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meyers reflects there likely won\u2019t be many positives to be found in the legacy of the coronavirus but is hopeful there may be one good takeaway.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis might be one where, people will be more respectful of each other\u2019s space when they\u2019re in public together and I think that\u2019s a very good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a lesson he hopes patrons take to heart when libraries once again throw open their doors in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n