The Estevan Public Library has had steady activity since it reopened last month.
People could start returning materials through a a drop box at the front and the inside doors of the library on June 30. A week later, the library started its curbside pickup service.
“If you had a hold on items prior to the closure, you are able to call in or email us, and you cnan pick up your items at a designated time,” said Matthew Rankin, who is the acting branch manager of the EPL.
Currently the library is operating with temporary hours, on Tuesdays to Saturdays, from noon to 6 p.m. But they are not open to the public.
However, people can still access the library’s collection. So if someone wants to place a hold on a book, magazine, DVD or anything else in their inventory, they can call the library by phone or email.
They can set up a time during those house to do a contactless, curbside pickup.
“We have a box set out by the emergency exits on the side of the library where you can pick up your items,” said Rankin.
The summer reading program, which has been a fixture at the library for many years, is being handled by the actual TD Summer Reading organization. It’s being offered virtually this year.
“There’s no booklets or anything going with it this year. You can place holds on items at the Estevan library, so we have picture books and books for kids if they want to read during the program.”
Since they’re not involved with the registration, the library doesn’t have the number of kids involved with the program.
People have been very supportive of the library’s efforts. The people he has talked to have said they wish the library was open, and they were back to normal operations.
“We certainly miss having patrons in the library. It can get very quiet. But we talk to people over the phone, and help them. We have a lot of online resources with the Southeast Regional Library.”
The demand for resources has been pretty strong, he said. There has been a lot of calls, and they have received returns from patrons.
People are also limited to having up to 20 items out on their accounts at any time, and 20 items on hold at one time.
