Today is supposed to be a writing check-in post. However, I haven’t written in the past month and this would be the third month in a row where I post about how I haven’t been writing and it’s starting to feel old. I’m trying to think about how I want to re-set my goals for this year after they were disrupted by COVID but until I figure that out, I’m not going to drag you through the mud with me.
So, I’ll focus on something else. My library is starting to reopen!
I’m sure most readers here were more than a little disappointed by the closing of libraries when COVID struck. Our library closed its doors but did an amazing job of keeping their digital offerings running. I utilized Hoopla, CloudLibrary, and Libby to keep listening to audiobooks and read ebooks throughout COVID. My book clubs moved to Zoom and we kept meeting. It was wonderful to keep enjoying library services, but I miss going to the library. Well, things are starting to change. Slowly.
We began curbside pick up yesterday. You can place a hold online and then once your book is ready for pick up, you visit the library and they’ll bring your hold out to you. There are some movies I’ve been wanting to wash and I’ll soon want to borrow some physical books as well so I’m really looking forward to using these options. I think it’s even more critical for parents of young children who need some books for learning or entertainment! I was always in the library over the summer; it’s the best time for reading!
I’m super curious how other libraries have been able to reopen so please tell me! How have you been able to access library resources? Have you been able to get material from your library? I’ll be really jealous if anyone is still able to visit their library in person, so let me know.
Until next time, write on.
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Taking On a World of Words 
I was able to go to my library in person two weeks ago to print my resume and such. They had been closed since March though.
They only allow people there for 30 minutes.
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Wow! I know a few libraries that are starting to open again. The time limit is something they’re considering for us as well. It makes sense but I wonder how hard it is to enforce? Happy reading!
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They enforce it for sure on the computers. There were only two computers open with the timer there. IDK how they enforced it with the patrons. There weren’t any there when I was there. Happy reading to you!
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The computer limit makes sense; we have that when there isn’t a pandemic! It’s even more important with fewer resources available.
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We had a longer timer when it wasn’t the pandemic. I think like 2 hours. I just so glad when I could finally print though because I couldn’t even ask them to print stuff for me back in April/May. And I needed to print stuff way back then,
I almost bought my own printer finally to do that but waited it out. Glad I did!
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My library recently reopened about a month ago, but only for curbside. There’s 3 drive up spots and 2 walk up spots, you place holds on items and them schedule a time for pick up. Each time frame is for 15 minutes to ensure social distancing. They are also taking books back now as well, and when you return them to a big bin on wheels, they stay there for 3 days before they’re checked back in. It has been lovely having a stack of books my kids can pick from to read and we can rotate them out. What’s hard is my son likes to browse the shelves so since we can’t do that yet, I’ve had to search for books similar to those he’s read and likes. It’s working so far & I’ll take it!
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That’s awesome! I know a number of libraries that are doing something with success; I’m glad your community is working well. We have the waiting period as well which I think is a good way to handle it. I heard of book sanitizers but this seems so much simpler. Happy reading!
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The library where I work started curbside pickup of holds last week. The library where I love now allows in person visits. I went in yesterday to pick up a hold but did not walk around or browse.
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Sounds like your library is about where mine is. I’m curious how long it will take to get my hold since our library is working with a skeleton crew. How long are you allowed in the building? Happy reading!
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I’m not aware of a time limit in the library where I live. They are limiting capacity. I didn’t have a problem entering when I picked up my hold.
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My library was thinking of a capacity limit. Another commenter mentioned a 30 minute limit on visits.
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That’s exciting! Our library has just started curb side pick up only to those who didn’t pick up their holds in March. I was able to pick up my books (and some) before the library closed its doors, thinking it would only be 3 weeks… not 3 months! So I’m still patiently waiting for curb side pick up to be offered for everyone!
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Oh wow! That’s good that they’re offering it to those who have been waiting three months. We were asked to review our hold list before curbside started so we could remove anything we didn’t want anymore. I hope you get some more books soon. Happy reading!
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That makes sense, the statement from the library said that the library will contact patrons to see whether they want their holds or not.
I’m hoping it goes by quickly so that curb side pick up will be open to the public!
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My public library are only allowing us to reserve books by genre & you get 6 of them in one batch.
You collect them at the door. We’re not allowed to return books or to go into the library yet.
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So you pick a genre and they give you six books in that genre? I’m not sure I’d like that, I’m pretty particular about the books I read! I hope you can start returning them soon or they might run out, haha. I’m still waiting to get into the building myself, but I think curbside is a huge first step. Happy reading!
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My library (which I work at) has done something similar, but only with children’s materials. You can reserve any books if you know what you want, or for children’s materials we offer Bonus Book Bundles where the parent tells us the child’s age/reading level and a one-word theme, and we pick 5 random books around that theme. It’s become so popular that adults are asking for them, too! We’ve done a few for adults but don’t have the time and staff to do it regularly. Putting these together has been a fun addition to my daily tasks!
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That’s a really great offering for children! Especially if they go through books quickly as small readers tend to do. Have fun with it!
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I am so envious of you for being able to borrow actual books. The library I volunteered at before I moved is at the same stage, but the libraries in my new home town aren’t there yet- just ebooks. But I joined the library yesterday ready for when they open for actual book borrowing.
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Any idea of when that will be? This is our first week moving beyond the digital collection only so I’m excited. We’re one of the last libraries in our area to get here, though. I miss book club meetings more than anything! Happy reading.
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Here in the UK some libraries are preparing to reopen but not my local library yet. However, we’ve had access to their digital offering although I haven’t made much use of it as I’ve been using lockdown as a good excuse to read some of the physical books on my shelves or ebooks already on my Kindle.
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I’ve been using a lot of the digital collections myself. I’m in the same boat about reading my own books. I’ve made quite the dent in my TBR shelf! Happy reading.
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