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