Any question of how much people in Guelph missed the libraries being open was quelled Tuesday when all the main library and all five branches opened their door to the public for the first time since March.
“They missed it a lot,” said Steve Kraft, CEO of Guelph Public Library. “It really was exceptional to welcome everybody back into the open library.”
People entering the libraries for the first time in months might notice some changes, with furniture moved or removed to promote physical distancing and high-touch items like pamphlet displays no longer on display.
“Someone said just this morning, ‘wow, you have so much space.’ We got rid of a lot of things,” said Kraft.
Some furniture was replaced entirely with newer, easier to clean pieces.
Kraft said the crowds were very civilized, with everyone wearing masks and spacing themselves out accordingly.
“There were line ups at times and the phone didn’t stop ringing and I could hear the librarians answering questions and fulfilling all of the holds and the requests people had,” said Kraft. “It really was one of our busiest days.”
All library staff were recalled in advance to prepare for the big reopening, said Kraft.
“We called them back gradually, but the full complement has been back for a week or two now,” said Kraft. “It’s really nice to see some familiar faces.”
The library did save some money on staffing during that time, said Kraft, but it also had to increase its janitorial costs and the purchase of personal protective equipment.
“Those costs have gone up substantially,” said Kraft.
Guelph Public Library closed all of its branches on March 15 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the closure prevented people from accessing the library in person, Kraft said there were some bright spots. Between March 16 and June 30 a total of 109,206 eBooks were checked out and 715 new library cards were distributed.
“The use of eBooks has exploded,” said Kraft. “That is really cool to see.”
Kraft doesn’t necessarily see the popularity of eBooks taking a dramatic downturn now that people can visit the library branches in person.
“People like them. The holds list hasn’t subsided at all, so they are certainly maintaining their popularity, which is a good and a bad thing,” said Kraft. “It is a more expensive format, so we have had to invest more into those electronic materials.”
Kraft said, as far as he knows, the pandemic hasn’t had a negative effect on the planning for the new main library.
“The committees are still meeting, the architect is still working on things. It’s still a go project,” he said.
