Reminder: Okotoks library reopening today

Library patrons will soon be able to check out their books in-person once again.

The Okotoks Public Library closed due to COVID-19, offering curbside pick-up and drop-off only, but the facility will reopen to the public on July 20 with limited hours and new restrictions in place.

“Unfortunately it’s probably a totally different space than people are used to,” said Lara Grunow, library director.

A staff member will greet patrons as they enter the library and provide hand sanitizer. Everyone is encouraged to wear face coverings and staff will be wearing masks, she said. Directional signage has been applied to the floor to reduce traffic between stacks to one way.

Bins will be located throughout the library, so if someone picks up a book and decides not to check it out, it can be set aside and quarantined for 72 hours before being re-shelved. The library has been using the same practice for returns since COVID-19 struck.

“If you can, we’re asking people to go to the online catalogue at home to know what they want to check out, or even place holds online and get notifications when they come in, and we can package it up and deliver it outside so they don’t even have to come into the library,” said Grunow.

The biggest difference will be in the other ways people typically used the library, she said.

“You can’t come to the library and hang out here for large amounts of time,” said Grunow. “We’ve taken away all our seating and all of the toys are gone from the kids’ area.”

In addition, meeting rooms are not being rented out and only two public computers will be available for use to ensure adequate spacing between users. Staff will not be able to provide one-on-one support with the computers.

For those who are uncomfortable returning to the library, Grunow said the curbside pick-up will still be available.

It’s been a popular options throughout the pandemic, with more than 8,000 items circulated in June alone, through the curbside pick-up operating three days per week.

“That just goes to show you dedicated library users are dedicated library users and they want their materials,” said Grunow. “That’s fantastic. That’s why we’re here.”

She said the library staff is excited to welcome back patrons, and hopes by September hours can be increased and some of the restrictions on facility usage can be lessened.

For now, it’s about keeping users and staff members safe, she said.

“We’re taking it slow and trying to just make sure we have even more restrictions in place than we need to and then hopefully we can lessen them as we see how things go,” said Grunow. “It’s kind of a new frontier we’re all entering into.”

The library will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and it will be closed on weekends for the summer.

For a look at what to read this summer, check out recommendations by local characters.

Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca

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