Local libraries have had to make significant operational changes since being closed to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, but one wouldn’t expect to hear that not only have people been on lock down, but so have all the books returned by patrons.
“We hold them for 72 hours,” Sharon Bernard, director of the Fitchburg Public Library, said Tuesday.
“We have lots of books piled up on our tables in the library,” Bernard said.
For details on updates to the library’s operation, visit its updated site at fitchburgpubliclibrary.org/871/Library.
That was echoed by Leominster Public Library’s Director Sondra Murphy who said, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols, her staff created a 72-hour quarantine room just for books returned by patrons.
In addition, book covers, usually made of Mylar, are disinfected, Murphy said.
Neither librarian could guess when the conditions will allow them to fully open, but each has been working to be as accessible to the public as possible.
Since closing, Bernard said the Fitchburg Library has remained open for people to pick up or drop off books, DVDs or other items. One area that did see significant activity was use of e-books.
She also wanted to stress that the library’s staff is always a phone call or email away.
“All you need to do is to tell us what you need,” Bernard said.
She said the staff is also attempting to come up with a program to provide faxing and printing services for its patrons, but has yet to work out how the library would get paid.
“We don’t want any of our staff handling money right now,” Bernard said.
In Leominster, Murphy said there is still a strong demand from patrons who want to check out various books and other items.
Since starting the curbside service after Memorial Day, the library is seeing a steady increase, including last week when nearly 400 patrons checked out various items, with nearly 1,200 returns.
Murphy said there is still a great need for patrons who need the use of a computer.
“In fact, we’ve had people standing at our doors asking if they could come in and use our computers,” she said.
To help with that situation, her staff is working out the details of loaning out about a half dozen Chromebooks. She said to continue to monitor the library’s website at leominsterlibrary.org/ for details.
Those who visit the website will notice it has been completely redone, including a new logo.
“We have a brand new website that will make it so much easier to use,” Murphy said. “We think our patrons who use it will love it.”
