Curbside pick up available at NGPL

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The North Grenville Public Library (NGPL) has started their process of reopening and are offering curbside pick ups for those who want to access their collection of books and dvds. The NGPL is now open between 10am and 7pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and on Saturday between 10am and 2pm. You can call to place orders for books and DVDs and schedule pickup times by phone (613-258-4711) during these times, request books and dvds, and schedule a time to pick up their items.

Patrons can also order items on the website through the library’s online order form, or email them at info@ngpl.ca. “We are happy to offer suggestions for reading, and will also offer grab bags for kids based on their age and favourite genres,” NGPL CEO Rachel Brown said. Each person can take out 10 items, with the usual three-week loan period.

When patrons show up for their appointment, they are asked to park in one of the spots near the library’s side door and either phone the library, or ring the doorbell. A library staff member will then come out with the order and place it in either the trunk or back seat of their vehicle. Patrons on foot are asked to ring the doorbell and step away from the door so staff can put the book bag outside while still maintaining an adequate distance.

Library staff are preparing to be able to accept already loaned books back into the library, but are not there yet. They are in the process of creating a system where returned books will be isolated for an appropriate amount of time to make sure they are safe to put back on the shelves.

The hope is that they will be able to open their book drop on Monday, June 1. All past and present fines will be waived, and a new fine-free policy will continue until further notice.

Although the library has been closed for several weeks, staff have still been busy creating online content for both adults and children. In-house videos which are being posted weekly to the website and Facebook include story times in French and English, a Creature Feature with Reptile Rainforest, Books and Bites with library staff cooking their favourite snacks and offering a reading list to go along with it, online crafts, and local author readings. They are also planning their first online book club, set for June 2 at 2pm, where participants can share what they have been reading over the past few months. Links to the catalogue of videos and other free online learning resources can be found in a new section on the NGPL website called Fun for Everyone. Inevitably, the summer at the Library will look a bit different this year, but Rachel says they are doing their best to offer children’s programming while keeping everyone safe. Library Sue will still be offering story time in the park, and she will also be taking some programming online, including a scavenger hunt, a STEM challenge, a game of “I Spy”, and more.

Rachel says that they are already looking forward to the day when they can open the doors of the library to the public again. That being said, she has no idea when that will be. In the meantime, they are focused on ensuring that they have the proper policies and procedures in place so they can keep everyone safe when the day does arrive. This includes limiting the number of people in the library at any one time, designated traffic flows, quarantine for returned materials, sanitation protocols, and having sanitation products on hand for library patrons and staff to use.

Limited on-site programs may also be offered for small groups when the library reopens, as they have a large activity room which would allow a limited number of people to distance themselves appropriately. “We look forward to expanding our services in a safe and intentional way,” Rachel says.

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