This week’s column began as a review of the year, which morphed into a notice on operations in red zone, then quickly transitioned to our plans for the provincial lockdown. So, all in all a very 2020 type of announcement. In another very 2020 move, we’re now going to let you know how we’re pivoting to this new normal in such unprecedented times. Maybe even mention how things look a little different this year or throw in something about quarantine side hustles or pandemic pounds. Capture a full sweep of the year’s buzzwords.
As you may know, the library will have a normal holiday closure from December 24 to December 28, reopening Tuesday, December 29 to our first workday in provincial lockdown – which is sort of like lockdown-grey but somewhat more severe. What paint manufacturers might dub Midnight Haze or Elephant Armor. While the building will remain closed to the public, we are offering numerous services to support your literary, learning, or leisurely journey into the new year. We will maintain regular hours with curbside pickup appointments available throughout. Now when you place your items on hold you will receive an automated message to call us at your convenience and we will schedule a pickup time.
Our curbside is a completely contactless pickup service. Your materials are placed on the table or book cart outside of the doors at the parking lot entrance once you have rung the video doorbell at your appropriate appointment time. The same process works for all our pickups. Fun Fact: Our current library doorbell ring is the musical accompaniment to which Kate McCallister runs off the plane to phone the police about Kevin being home alone. And it is our commitment to you that we will continue to treat said ring with the same level of urgency and concern.
In addition to pickup for regular circulating material, we are also extending our services to include tiny toonie craft kits, take ‘n makes, new themed book bundle options, and pickup kits to transition our in- person programming to virtual options that complement our already expansive online program offerings. The January/February program schedule is also being reconfigured to give you even more content to engage with – check for updates via the programming tab on our website. Any prescheduled in-person events have been moved to online platforms. Our Pathstone Mental Health partnership will continue to operate as scheduled on Mondays from 11-7.
In addition, we’re always happy to help with quick online reference inquiries via telephone and our virtual library (including OverDrive/Libby, rb digital, TumbleBooks, Newspaper Source Plus, more) is open 24/7. We also offer on demand photocopying and printing services available for curbside pickup. Ironic sidenote on all these curbside pickup opportunities: none of them actually occur in close proximity to the curbs. Possible rechristening TBD.
You can find more information about our lockdown procedures on our website, join virtual programming via our Facebook groups, email us via [email protected] or [email protected] for general or program specific inquiries, or give us a call at 905-227- 2581 for any additional questions, comments, concerns, or entertaining anecdotes.
