The phone calls and emails started coming in Tuesday as the Powassan & District Union Public Library reopened to offer curbside service.
CEO Marie Rosset says the reopening was planned for weeks, making Powassan, along with South River Machar Union Public Library, one of the first area libraries to open.
CEO Alison Young says South River is limiting pickup times for books to 1-4 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday. Readers are able to pick up a maximum of five books at one time.
South River is holding returned books for 72 hours and Powassan for 78 hours to ensure the books are safe to lend out again.
“We are ready,” Rosset says. “Waiting another week isn’t going to make a difference in how we handle it.”
All libraries have an online catalogue to display the books available for pickup. Readers need to call or email ahead of time.
Callander Public Library CEO Helen McDonnell said the library also plans to hold books for 72 hours when it opens, but the library is having difficulty getting the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for its staff.
“We're only 1,100 square feet, so we have to make sure that the staff is safe,” McDonnell says. “We're going to section off certain parts of the library. So we'll probably not open until next Monday just so we can prepare.”
South River is only allowing one staff member in the library at a time to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Callander and Powassan continue to offer programs online for their quarantined patrons.
Powassan has been hosting recorded reading sessions for children and toddlers, as well as book discussions with teens, while Callander has a virtual knitting club and two book clubs.
Powassan also offers an e-reading service, but Rosset says patrons have told her it's not the same as the hard copy.
“I know for myself, I just prefer having a book in my hand,” she admits.
McDonnell believes books play an important role in helping people cope while being quarantined.
“I just look at my own family and I see how many books they have been reading during this period of time,” she says. “I think it's an escape for them.
“I think it still makes them feel connected, especially now that they're going to be able to get their books from the library that they want. I think it will be a comfort for them to know that they're still connected to the library.”
The libraries are not charging late fines during the pandemic.
A spokesperson for the North Bay Library says it will offer the same service soon. The West Nipissing public library has yet to announce its plan for reopening.
Mackenzie Casalino is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with The North Bay Nugget.
LJI reporters are paid by the federal government.
