Rather than tempt fate like previous attempts at the same plan, only to see it shut down at the last minute, the library kept things on the down-low this time around just to see if their luck would improve.
“We didn’t really advertise or say very much because the last two times we planned on opening on a Tuesday and on that Monday they said ‘no’,” said library clerk Laurie Vansickle. “We haven’t put it on social media or anything, so it’s kind of a normal day today, but once everyone finds out, we expect to have quite a few people.”
Just not too many people: the ongoing pandemic restrictions limit the number of patrons in the building to only 20, which includes the aisles, computer area and archives, basically anywhere people might come into close contact.
“There’s nowhere to sit and read newspapers or anything, it’s just come in, browse and leave,” Vansickle said, adding that the reading room is open, but only to six people at a time. “So we’re not encouraging people to stay, but we’re excited that the stacks are open for people, they’ve been wanting this since the beginning.”
As one might expect, it won’t be back to normal.
Many of the regular COVID restrictions are in place as well as a couple new ones.
One major change is the number of bins that will be found in aisles throughout the facility, with idea being that if a book is removed from its stack but not kept, it would be put in the bin for sanitizing rather than simply replaced.
The regular precautions are also in place, including social distancing, following traffic arrows on the floor, using hand sanitizer regularly. The COVID questions will still be asked upon entering the building, masks will still need to be worn and every other careful step surrounding the pandemic will remain.
“We’re excited that we’re able to do this, it’s another positive step forward, but we still want people to be careful,” Vansickle said.
For more information and to even browse their offerings and reserve a book, check out the Moose Jaw Public Library website at www.moosejawlibrary.ca.
