Library Books Again!!

Like many people, I have not been into a library for several months. In fact, with preparations for my move from Minnesota to New Hampshire, I hadn't been into a library since early March. Until today!

My new "library home" is in Concord, New Hampshire. Like other wise institutions, the library has been closed up tight for a long time. At least, it has felt long. Now they are ready to phase in their opening, starting, like may others, with curbside pickup for requested books. 

This is how it worked for me.

I went to the on-line catalog last night, Friday, and placed requests for four books: two about Bertie and Jeeves and two mysteries by Archer Mayor.

At about 9 am on Saturday, I had a phone call from the library: my books were ready to go, and I could pick them up at 12:45. Not the usual library experience, but hey...I'd already finished my sister's and brother-in-law's supply, and even a teen novel that I found in the laundry room of the apartments. I was more than ready for new books!

I couldn't hand over my library card because so far I only have a "virtual" card. By the time I moved here and served my two weeks in quarantine, I could only get a card on line. It is wonderful that just about every library I'm aware of has allowed people to do this during the pandemic, allowing people who might not visit a library to access electronic resources.

Two or three library staff were masked (as was I). They had set up shop behind a Plexiglas barrier. I handed over my card number, and received my books, already checked out. [I'll admit I was a bit disappointed that nobody seemed to notice that I had chosen my Saint Paul Public Library t-shirt for the occasion.]

Life feels one step closer to a new normal. Thank you, Concord Library.

Frankie and Teddy are waiting for me to return.

6/13/2020

495a Fulda Memorial Library, Fulda, MN

Many of my library visits result in me watching library entries on Facebook. I've been waiting a couple of months to see the first re-opening post. There have been many reports of curbside service starting and other signs of progress, but this is the first re-opening I've seen. (Let's put that in context: There are more than 15,000 public libraries in the USA; I've visited a bit over 500 of them, and I see info from perhaps 50. There may be many more that have reported re-opening plans.)

Without asking permission, I give you the happy report from Fulda:

As of Monday, June 1st, we're pleased to announce that the library is open to the public. We've moved things around in the building for better social distancing and have safety precautions in place. As we start out, please keep your visits short and sweet. We can only have a limited number of people in the library at a time and we want everybody to have a chance to browse. Masks are encouraged for staff and visitors. One computer will be available for adult use only. Curbside pick up of library materials will continue for those who request it. Hope you see you soon!

It looks as if all reasonable steps have been taken for a safe transition, and I'm sure many library patrons will cheer the day. [Given the chance, however, I would make masks and hand sanitizer mandatory.] Stay healthy and stay safe, Fulda, so that you can stay open! By the way, if you put Fulda or 495 in the search box, you will find the report of my visit last year, with pictures.

I'm especially happy to see this news because I've moved from Minnesota to New Hampshire, and I'm eager to expand my visits to all of New England. But the important thing is to be safe and healthy. I'll be visiting as soon as the pandemic allows.