COCHRANE— The Cochrane Public Library has announced it is reopening to the public on Monday (June 29).
“We’ve missed all of our patrons, and we’re excited to be getting back to mostly normal. Of course, we are opening with restrictions,” said Andrea Johnston, Community Outreach and Program Librarian at the Cochrane Public Library.
She added that there will be several precautions that staff has implemented to ensure public safety.
The Cochrane Public Library will be opening with reduced hours for the general public, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with an exclusive hour in the morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 for vulnerable populations Monday through Saturday. The library will be closed on Sundays.
There will also be a limit on the number of people allowed in the library at a given time.
“There’s only going to be 10 people allowed in the library at a time, and only for 30 minutes each,” Johnston said.
At this time, staff are not requiring masks to be worn in the library, Johnston said, however, masks are available at the library if a patron prefers to wear one.
Staff is also asking patrons to observe social distancing measures by maintaining six feet of physical distance and adhering to Alberta Health Services guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting.
“We’re doing all that we can to keep our patrons and our staff as safe as possible during this era of COVID,” Johnston said.
She noted that there will be no in-person programming available at this point in time, but there is a possibility that the library will offer virtual programming through the summer months.
“Right now it’s just going to be regular library services, but at least people will be able to use our library of things again when we open our doors. That’s our gardening tools, our power tools, lifejackets, telescopes, board games, and puzzles. We hope that will help out over the summer,” Johnston said.
Pick-ups and items on hold can be arranged online at cochranepubliclibrary.ca or by phone at 403-932-4353.
Staff is asking patrons to arrange a time for pick-ups by calling ahead— the library will be offering contactless pick-ups for holds.
