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Date: 7/30/2020
ENFIELD, CT – After re-opening its doors to the public in June, the Enfield Public Library had to quickly shift their priorities.
“We decreased the physical books people were buying because we didn't know how long the library was going to be closed. A lot of our book budget we moved to provide E-books and downloadable audio books people could access remotely.”
He continued, “The other hard reality is we had to start worrying about building up a stock pile of PPE (personal protective equipment), hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes. It required some changes in how we operate and what our emphasis was.”
The Library has been working closely with the North Central District Health Department on how to proceed.
Right now, the Library is doing curbside pickup. Patrons will be asked to return their items in the book drops rather than bringing them to the desk. Inside the building there are plexiglass dividers for all of the public desks. They removed most of their furniture and taped off six-foot distances as a reminder of social distancing.
Their Community Room is eliminated and is used to quarantine materials for four days.
Through the guidance of the State, the Library is limited to 50 percent capacity.
A limited number of computers are available at the Central Library. Sessions will be 30 minutes, with a maximum of three sessions per day. Consecutive sessions are permitted if no one is waiting to use a PC. Cleaning products are available near the PCs.
Due to the small size of the Pearl Street Branch, they will offer 30-minute appointments for patrons to browse the collections or use the computers. Call at 860-253-6433.
“It's certainly not the same as it was six months ago,” said Neely. “Everyone has a different level of comfort with being out in a public place right now. Some people are okay with it and others are very worried about it. This allows us to serve both groups of people. If someone doesn’t want to come in, we will do everything we can to provide the services we have outside so the curbside pickup has been very popular and continues to be.”
Prior to COVID-19, the Library started canceling their in-person programs. With this compulsory transition, Neely credits his staff for moving to virtual programming during the pandemic. Within days of their doors being closed, the staff began to film virtual story time for children ages 2-4 and 5-7, post them on Facebook and received wonderful reactions.
It’s giving a sense of normalcy for them during the quarantine. Children can still see their favorite Librarian every day reading them a story and interacting with them.
The Library has Blanket Bingo for children to play on the front lawn online, ukulele classes via Zoom, senior center book discussions and Facebook concerts with local musicians.
Neely believes at any point in time it is critical to have an informed citizen read. With a lot of the misinformation out there on the Internet and social media today, the public library can provide that. While people appreciated the number of E-books that the Enfield Public Library made available, the one thing he said they wanted was the actual physical books.
Neely replied, “Us being open and providing the curbside delivery early on and being open for those to browse has made a big difference in people’s lives.”
He went on, “People have been going stir crazy being stuck at home. Fortunately, some people have stocked up on books beforehand. Others didn’t have the opportunity because we closed our doors really fast. Implementing books, DVDs and musical instruments gives everyone a much-needed distraction from the reality of being stuck at home and expand their minds.”
The Enfield Public Library will continue to do outside programs as well as online and virtual programming. In the meantime, they are monitoring what’s going on with the virus and paying attention to the guidance they are receiving from the State.
“It’s been a challenge,” Neely respond, “But the one thing that has been wonderful is the staff that I have. They have been so flexible, ready and willing to think on their feet which has made my life a lot easier.”
The Enfield Public Library is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information go to www.enfieldpubliclibrary.org and www.facebook.com/enfieldpubliclibrary.