138a Concord NH Reopening

Like stores, offices, and businesses, libraries are re-opening with social distancing and ease of cleaning  in mind. Therefore, you won't see any cozy upholstered chairs, and what furniture there is will be hard-surfaced and spaced well apart. This is the large space to the left as you enter the front door of the library.

Like every one of the few stores I've been in during the past six months, arrows on the floor try to establish traffic flow to minimize the likelihood of patrons violating social distancing as they move through the stacks. [Other libraries don't allow patrons into stacks, instead using the method from years past where you handed a request slip to a librarian and he or she sent a page to get your materials.] 

Some computers are available, but they must be reserved. I think these are likely free because I visited shortly before closing. Speaking of closing, on most days this library is open 9 to 11, 12 to 2, and 3 to 5. The hours in between are used for cleaning all surfaces that may have been touched. I've read of another library that is using a three-hour-on, one-hour-off pattern. Cautious reopening is important, and it is bringing out plenty of creative out-of-the-box thinking.

Let's take the winding staircase just inside the front door and go up to the children's area.

There's more than one way to say "don't go there." Here, a bench does the honors.

Windows on the upper level allow views to the floor below.

The focal point of the children's library is this handsome fireplace with a tile surround, a wood carving above, and a rugged wooden bench.

Plastic barriers divide tables into two work areas, allowing space for more readers while maintaining social distancing.

The children's library is noted for its wall of murals. I like the boy hiding under the bed, but sticking his head out to get enough light for reading his book.

More mural

Perennial favorites have their own spaces in the library: Star Wars, Harry Potter, Warriors, and American Girl.

No toys and no cozy seating these days, but the important elements are present: books, a place to sit, and natural light.

At first the PJ sign puzzled me...for about a second. Long enough to think "Pajama (PJ) Storytime?" Of course not! Picture books and Junior books. [Or "Juvenile"--usage varies among libraries, and I didn't ask.]

Here is a chronic issue, and one even more important when staff want to clean books that have been handled. I recall two kinds of patrons: those who spread books all over and leave them, and those who want to be "helpful" and "put them back." What's really needed is to leave them neatly, but not back on the shelves. Please.

One more look downstairs. At the bottom left you can see part of the service desk with its plastic shields.

One more mural...

...and a dollhouse partway down the stairs. As a former dollhouse builder, I'm always glad to see one of any kind in a library. This is a nice example.

And that completes the tour. It is SO good to be able to spend time in a library again. Next, I need to start identifying other New Hampshire libraries that are starting to let folks in the door. I hope that your library is cautiously and safely reopening.

Concord, NH Library...live!

Two days ago, July 13, 2020, I was able to enter a library for the first time since I arrived in New Hampshire at the beginning of April. The library is in my new "home town" of Concord, New Hampshire. They have been cautiously increasing access to books during the current pandemic.

First, I was able to get a virtual card. With it, I could have accessed all sorts of digital content, but I that's not my style.

Finally, about a month ago, a change: patrons could now request books on line or by telephone, then pick them up curbside. I dove right into that, for sure! There were a few things to get used to, notably that when books are returned they go into quarantine before they show up as returned. But still: BOOKS!

This week, the next big step: The library would be open for certain hours, with limits on the number of patrons inside at any time. And the hours look strange, but make sense. Most days, the library is open 9 to 11, 12 to 2, and 3 to 5 (slightly different on Thursday and Saturday). I arrived at about 10:45.

Curbside pickup is still in operation, but it's been moved to a side door. It actually felt a bit strange to follow the arrows right into the front door. And standing inside the library was awesome, almost like doing something brand new. I've been to this library before, but it was...different. There were obvious differences, of course, in ways that now feel normal: arrows on the floor, Plexiglass shields at the service counters, no upholstered chairs for hanging out. And almost no other patrons; that was mainly because I had arrived so close to a closing time.

I found my requested books, wandered through the first floor, wished that I'd allowed more time so I could go the the children's library on the lower level (next time), and managed to get my books checked out. [They use a system I've used in the past, but it stymied me this time.]

When I was ready to leave, I was stymied again. One thing I'm used to after four months of pandemic, is that one enters at one door, leaves at another. But all the arrows were coming in. "Where is the exit?" A smile and a shrug from a staff person, who was already attacking surfaces with disinfectant, preparing for the noon opening. "Right there!" "Where the arrows are all coming in?" "Yes." And so I did.

I hope the library is able to stay open and become increasingly open. I'll be back in a couple of days and I'll try to get a few pictures.




7/13/2020