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I may not have a lot to give, but I have I will give to you

Thayer Memorial Library Posted on by

Folks:

It’s been a while since I checked in, but things have picked up since we started Curbside Pick-up service and we’ve been busy.

Naturally, when folks stop by the Library, the big question they ask is, “WHEN?” We hear you loud and clear, and the process is moving forward. Here’s what I can tell you today.

  1. The Governor has indeed stated that libraries can start letting folks in. On 06 July 2020, an update to mandatory reopening safety standards, recommended best practices, and a checklist for libraries to reopen in phase III was released.
  2. The Governor also has limited what services libraries can offer. The good news is that Curbside Pick-up service has taken off like a rocket, libraries participating in the holds network [how we get books from other libraries] is growing every day, online services continue to be popular, and we see more of you daily when you come to pick up your requests. It’s through a glass window, but it’s better than nothing.

The Thayer Memorial Library was perhaps the first public library in the Commonwealth to restart loaning services with its Books by Mail program in April, and now the addition of Curbside Pick-up service has made picking up library materials even better.

  • Lancaster has one of the best Board of Health in the area. I don’t wish to judge another town’s efforts to deal with these challenging conditions, but in my experience, and from what I see other directors are dealing with Lancaster’s Board of Health has distinguished itself as a winner. The Board of Trustees and I will defer any decision to open to them. They are the local public health experts, and they know what we are all up against. I trust their judgment, and I encourage you to do so as well.
  • With that said, I have engaged the Board of Health, and productive and frank discussions are ongoing. I promise you together the Library and the Board of Health will reopen the Library as soon as it’s safe.

What’s new?

The staff has been wondering how we can bring serendipity back to the patron experience. That’s really the fun of visiting the Library. You can go to a book store and do the same thing, sort of. But, only libraries provide the experience I’m thinking of.

No two libraries are the same. First of all, the buildings are different, the areas within are arranged differently, the collections can sometimes be quirky and reflect the local character of the community they serve. It’s hard to replace or conjure up something that could replace that sort of thing.

However, I think we have a small idea that may tie us over until we do, in fact, open again.

Starting Monday, July 20, the Library will provide a tiny library in the rear of the building of youth books that are free to take. There will also be some adult titles, but this initiative is aimed at children of all ages who are looking for fun things to read over the summer. Pretty cool, huh? Even better, we have plenty of books that will last us through the rest of the summer, so we encourage everyone to keep checking in.

The hours you can come by and check out what’s on offer just so happen to be the same time people can take advantage of Curbside Pickup service.

Mon   10:00 am — 4:30 pm  

Tues   10:00 am — 2:00 pm         &  4:00 pm — 7:30 pm

Wed   10:00 am — 6:30 pm                    

Thurs 1:00 pm — 4:30 pm                      

Fri       10:00 am — 4:30 pm                    

Sat      10:00 am — 1:30 pm                    

For information on some of the other services we are providing right now, follow the links below.

That’s it for now.

Keep on rocking in a free world, everybody and have a nice weekend.

~ joe​

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