COCHRANE— The Cochrane Public Library is once again opening to the public after the easement of the most recent round of public health restrictions.
Head librarian and assistant director of the library Andrea Johnston said, patrons eagerly returned to the library on Thursday (June 10).
“We had a little bit of a rush this morning, which was a good thing. We love seeing people coming in. I saw a little girl sitting at one of our tables just surrounded by books and she was just flipping through them and that’s always such a good feeling,” she said. “We’re thrilled that we’re back.”
Johnston said she was glad to see libraries included in Stage 2 of the provincial governments Open for Summer plan, along with museums and other public facilities.
“We think that’s really positive that the government recognizes the importance of libraries and bumped us up,” she said. “The last time we were shut down and then reopened we were bumped up, and this time was no exception. We think that’s a really positive sign.”
Much of its typical programming is back, including the Summer Reading Club, job finding resources and the lending library, which has brand new outdoor-based items just in time for summer.
The Library of Things now includes items like tents, hiking poles, camping chairs for adults and high chairs for toddlers, first aid kits, GPS devices and more.
“We have tons of stuff here to keep families busy and active over the summer,” Johnston said.
She added virtual programming also remains available at the Library for the time being.
Johnston said she is proceeding with an abundance of caution as the reopening accelerates and in-person community functions are beginning to happen again.
“I’m being extra-cautious. I’m maintaining programming virtually. I’m just being really, really careful because I’m a little bit nervous about events like the Stampede going on and the last thing I want is to be having in-person programming and to have an outbreak at the library. I would be horrified. I would be devastated,” she said.
Although the programming is online, there are still many take-home items, like games, puzzles, wellness and fitness items and many other things available.
The Cochrane Public Library also has a new way for community members to honour the 215 children found at the Kamloops Residential School.
The Library is offering patrons wooden hearts, which they can take home, decorate and inscribe with a message of reconciliation, love or hope.
Once the heart has been decorated, patrons are asked to return the heart to the library to be planted in its garden of remembrance.
Johnston said she was compelled to do something to recognize the victims after hearing the news.
“Along with so many people in Canada I was just horrified when I heard the news about these poor little children that were found,” she said. “After hearing news like that you kind of feel helpless and you want to do something but you’re not sure what.”
She said she started researching how others had shown solidarity with First Nations communities in the wake of the recent news and came across the idea of a heart garden. At the closing ceremonies of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, schoolchildren were encouraged to create similar hearts with messages of hope and love on them.
“I thought it was an amazing idea and one that we could take part in as a library and as a community to recognize and to honour the 215 that were found. It’s a small step toward reconciliation, but an important one, I think,” Johnston said.
The library is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Capacity is limited to 40 people at a time, and patrons are asked to limit their visit to one hour. Social distancing, mask use and hand hygiene guidelines are still in place at the library and visitors are asked to comply with those regulations.
