Medicine Hat Public Library is hoping to reopen at the end of June or early July, and in the meantime there is lots of planning taking place.--FILE PHOTO
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
The Medicine Hat Public Library is likely to reopen to the public at the end of June or early July.
Libraries are in the second phase of the provincial strategy to relaunch after the COVID-19 lockdown, expected toward the end of June.
There is an electrical upgrade taking place starting June 22 for a few days at MHPL and that could mean delaying the opening a little, said Ken Feser, chief librarian.
There will need to be changes, and ideas are still being developed.
“When we’ll be able to have 100 people in our theatre, I have no idea,” said Feser.
However, community building is still a strong focus.
Feser says he’s looking for inspiration from retail stores on how to operate while keeping people safe.
All items returned to the library are wiped with a bleach solution and then sit on a cart for 10 days before being re-shelved, said Feser.
Other renovation plans include video monitoring to enhance safety in the building.
Feser says the public has expressed the need for safety and the perception of it.
“A lot of people are just a little nervous about the downtown environment … There’s a diverse crowd at the library, which we love, but also some people are intimidated by that,” said Feser. “We need to make people feel safe.”
Recent initiatives in the children’s department have been a success. There was a 40 per cent increase in people visiting that area after the new space opened.
There is also consideration being given to the need for more parking. Feser says although staff do not park in the parking lot they are also being asked to not park on the streets around the building. Arrangements have been made with River Dental, which is allowing library patrons to use its lot on Saturdays and Sundays.
