The Bradford Public Library is delaying its reopening by a few weeks to restore the interior back to its original layout.
In the meantime, they encourage the public to continue using the curbside pick-up option.
During the lockdown, the library moved bookshelves, tables, and desks to accommodate quicker curbside pick up for residents. Now that the region has moved back into the ‘red zone’, the library requires a bit more time to move everything back into place so that residents can re-enter the library safely and effectively.
Library users will now be allowed inside the foyer area for their ‘curbside pick up’ and can continue to schedule their reservations online.
“We’re blown away by how much people used the library during lockdown," said Larissa Marks, the library's community engagement coordinator. “Staff are all still working safely to execute the curbside pick up and thank the community for being patient while we return the inside of the library back to its original state.”
During the second lockdown, library staff gathered over 125 items per hour for curbside pick-ups. Since curbside options began, the BWG Library has served 2,843 residents (517 patrons per week). The busiest, most popular days are Thursdays where librarians serve around 140 people. Curbside pick up is offered 25.5 hours per week.
“That’s a lot!” laughs Marks, adding that residents often reserved not only books but DVDs, games, take-and-make craft kits, and audio-books. “It’s a good sign that the community is valuing literacy.”
Opening this Monday, March 1, the library will open its Computer Café in the front foyer area which will have four stations of laptops available for temporary use. There is limited availability for computers and guests will only have a 30-minute time slot per day to use the computer café space.
“This was really popular before the last lockdown,” said Marks. “We had to limit one session per day because it was that busy.”
Marks adds that although she is happy people are excited for the library to reopen, new rules and Covid regulations will, unfortunately, change the nature of the library.
“The guidelines and restrictions are not the same as the last time,” shares Marks. “Our signage needs to change, capacity limits, changes to procedures… It will be a limited number of people allowed inside with a ‘browse-n-go’ idea. People will not be able to ‘hang out’ like before unfortunately.”
Although some library features have been removed for safety (such as the toy section for toddlers), library staff have created many unique and fun kits available for families to reserve and take home to enjoy.
“We have ‘nature backpacks’ available for kids which have different things inside them to encourage exploration and discovery,” said Marks. “We have ones geared towards animals in nature that includes a book about animals, trail guides, tracking guide materials, and pencil and notebook they can keep.”
Marks notes that the backpacks and certain materials inside the bags are only on loan and do need to be returned to the Library so they can be ‘reloaded’ with more fun activities for the next person. Each backpack is geared towards a different theme such as ‘space exploration’ or ‘science’ related.
The BWG Library also offers ‘Take-and-Make’ kits available for different age groups (even tweens) which include a variety of crafts and fun activities to help curb Covid-boredom, as well as ‘Maker Kits’ for kids desiring to learn more about ‘snap circuit’.
“Some of the kits have robots inside them which the kids love and want to play with,” said Marks. “With the ‘Maker Kits’, kids can build their own fan or learn more about how go-karts and drones work.”
Marks reminds the community there is limited availability for backpacks and kits which must be reserved online through their website or Facebook page.
“We look forward to having people return and really want to encourage our little readers to explore the library and have a look around,” she said.
To learn more about the BWG Library’s programs, visit their website at: www.bradford.library.on.ca
