The pandemic has hit some facilities hard and forced others, including the Bashaw Municipal Library, to make significant changes to their operations.
Initially, the library had to close completely when the province announced its COVID-19 restrictions in the middle of March.
As Alberta slowly started to relaunch many services, libraries were able to reopen as part of Stage II back in the middle of June.
However, each library needed approval from their board of directors to restart.
“That’s why each library is unique in the services it offers and the response here to this new service has been amazing,” said Bashaw’s librarian Cindy Hunter.
“Bashaw began offering curbside pick-up and drop-off as of June 17 on Wednesdays and Thursdays. More recently, we have started a ‘window-shopping’ approach — where if you see something in our window display that you like, it can be added to your bag.”
For patrons, it’s fairly easy to make a request for items — either online by logging into through their library account or via a hand-written request that can be left at the library.
Grabbing orders is just as easy — bags are set on a cart outside the front door of the Bashaw Community Centre that houses the library and each bag is tagged with patrons name.
To drop off items, there are two options — the grey bin that will be available at the library on those two days and a box that is at Bashaw Foods for other times.
And if you need a mask, packages of eight are being handed out free — courtesy of Parkland Regional Library — on the pick-up and drop-off day in Bashaw.
Hunter added that seniors that continue to be isolated at Bashaw Meadows can now make requests, which are delivered to the seniors facility once a week.
“The seniors especially, really appreciate being able to get to read their favorite authors again. Many had no option to read eBooks,” she said.
However, Hunter issued a reminder to patrons not to be alarmed if the items returned look to still be on your library account.
“Any returned items stay in quarantine for four days — untouched and un-scanned — as part of our precautions,” she said.
“Your account will say the items are still there, while they’re waiting their turn to be re-shelved.”
There is one big thing that Hunter misses, and that’s the people she used to see almost every day.
“I really miss the social interaction part of the job and the kids,” she said, adding that the free SuperNet wi-fi remains available 24/7 for anyone to connect.
“But, this new service is good too. If you have no reason to stop — a simple honk and wave will make my day.
“The Bashaw Library is still here for you.”