Saskatoon libraries to reopen slowly, with restrictions

Saskatoon's Public Libraries will begin a safe, slow reopening this month, part of a five-stage plan in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

It's been five months since the public has been able to visit a public library in the city. 

"People really rely on and miss library service," said Carol Cooley, CEO of Saskatoon Public Libraries. 

Cooley said planning for reopening has been "rather intense."

"I have the concern of our employees, as well as the general public for health and safety in mind in terms of planning," she said. "But it's also been really rewarding, when we opened up contactless holds, people were just so pleased. Now we're looking at taking another step forward in providing and restoring service to the community."

Freda Ahenakew branch first to open 

On Aug. 25, branch libraries will begin to reopen, starting with the Freda Ahenakew branch on 20th Street West. Others will follow over the course of weeks.  

"It's a matter of securing all of the proper safety items that we need," Cooley said. "It just takes a while to set up nine branches."

It will not be business as usual, at least not at first. Everyone over the age of nine will have to wear a face mask. There will be Plexiglas barriers, physical distancing protocols and time limits on how long people can be inside. 

There will also be a new service the library is calling Grab & Go Express Bags, where items are selected and ready to go based on genre.

Lessons learned 

Libraries, of course, have evolved into much more than just a place to check out a good book. They also serve as a gathering place in many neighbourhoods. Recognizing that role, Cooley said that outreach workers will soon be back on duty at some branches. 

"What they do is they assist people in connecting them with services that they might need in the community, whether it's housing or mental health issues."

Full public library services will not be fully realized in Saskatoon until the final stage of the pandemic reopening plan. There is no date set for that. 

In the meantime, Cooley and her colleagues continue planning for a new central library. 

"We will be better prepared for the future," she said. "I think we've learned some lessons in terms of design and how to build in a sort of a response to pandemics."