Visitors play makeshift mini golf at the Redcliff Public Library in this March 2016 file photo. The library plans to reopen to the public on Thursday following the COVID-19 shutdown.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
Safety guidelines have been implemented and the Redcliff Public Library is reopening to the public on Thursday.
Library staff are feeling excited, but are also taking a cautionary approach for when the doors open.
“It will be nice to have people back in here,” said library manager Tracy Weinrauch.
“But I’d be lying if I said we weren’t nervous – I mean not nervous about having the people in here, it’s just applying everything that you agree on, on paper, and making it work in reality.”
The library is encouraging a grab-and-go service, to request your materials in advance by either placing a hold or calling ahead so staff can retrieve the books for the member. If a hold is placed on an item, staff asks that you wait for a library notification before you come in and pick up.
All materials returned will be quarantined for four days when checked in and accrued fines will be waived until further noticed.
There will be only 15 people allowed in the building at one timed and it is encouraged for the public to spend as little time as possible in the library.
Staff may ask people to leave the building if they resemble sickness. Physical distancing will be enforced and it is required to follow all the signage.
A maximum of two families will be allowed in the children’s area at one time, while tables and chairs will not be available at this time.
There will be no toys for the kids to play with.
Children 12 and under will not be allowed in the building without being accompanied by an adult.
“(It’s) just so we can keep a handle on where the kids are travelling in the library and touching things,” she said.
Patrons are strongly encouraged to wear masks while in the library and hand sanitizer is required upon entering.
Exam rooms are by appointment only, meeting rooms are closed until further notice and two computers are available by appointment only with 30-minute session maximum.
Photocopying, faxing, and scanning services will only be available with staff operating the machines.
Plexiglass was installed at the desk on June 29.
A greeter will be at the door to tell people about the guidelines for July.
“I think a lot of people, as things reopened, have gotten used to a lot of the points in our reopening strategy. They’re already familiar with most of this entering Walmart or grocery stores,” said Weinrauch.
Weinrauch says they were able to keep all their staff through the closure.
“In the month of July, you’re going to see a lot of the same faces,” said Weinrauch.
“There are only seven of us at the library. It’s going to take a whole team of us to make this happen, to be open six days a week.”
There will be a virtual summer reading program in place and an outdoor activity every Thursday in July and August from 10:45-11:15 a.m.
More information will come within the next week.
“The most important thing is kids need to pre-register,” Weinrauch said.
Registration can be done by calling the library at 403-548-3335.
The library will be open Monday to Thursday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), Friday and Saturday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and closed on Sundays.
