Schlow Library Lobby Service to Begin This Week

Schlow Centre Region Library will begin a phased reopening of its building to the public with the start of lobby service on Tuesday.

The change will offer expanded hours for pickups. The lobby will be open for reserve pickups 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

After reserving items online, patrons will receive notification by email or text when they are ready for pickup.

Self-checkouts will be available and staff will be on hand to assist.

Doorside pickups and text message check-ins will be discontinued. Scheduled pickups will remain the same and book returns remain available to return materials.

Schlow will continue to waive fines.

COVID-19 protocols including masking and social distancing will be in place. A limited number of patrons will be allowed in the lobby at one time and those waiting for entry are asked to maintain social distancing.

“We continue to work closely with public health and government officials to monitor COVID-19 community indicators and make informed decisions,” a statement from the library said. “Schlow also recently completed a patron survey to assess the community’s comfort level with returning to in-person services.”

Phase two of reopening, which will include in-person browsing, will be announced at a later date.

“Following a successful phase one lobby re-opening, we’re hoping to make the stacks available for browsing for limited time periods starting in June,” according to the library.