Effective Monday, July 6, Haldimand County Public Library branches will re-open for limited service during regular hours. While library collections will remain off-limits in Stage 2, staff will be available to assist patrons at circulation service counters and a limited number of public computer stations will be available for bookable one-hour periods.

Workstations at which visitors can connect personal devices to the library’s wireless network have also been set up. Persons wishing to use computer or wireless stations are asked to book in advance by calling their local branch and stations will be disinfected between each use.

In accordance with Provincial mandates, library collections will remain off limits to the public and shelves cannot be browsed. Seating areas, children’s play areas, and study and meeting rooms will also not be accessible. Staff will retrieve items for patrons and will strive to meet users’ reading needs and interests. Although curbside pickup will no longer be the library’s primary service delivery method, it will be made available to users upon request.

Returns can be made through the library’s overnight drop boxes, which are now open at all times, or inside at special tables located near entrances. These special return locations replace return bins normally located at service desks. All returned items are quarantined for at least 72 hours before further processing or reuse. A grace period applies to ensure no fines accumulate while items are in quarantine.

Patrons will notice a number of safety measures when they return to visit us: plexiglass health shields at our service desks, collection containment demarcations, queue markings and various social distancing signs. Sanitization of high-touch surfaces will be a top priority and, where facilities allow, separate entrances and exits have been designated.

Online services and download applications remain active during this phase of re-opening and patrons are encouraged to continue reserving physical items using the library’s online catalog.

For more information, visit the Library’s website or Facebook page.