Tag: Vigo County Public Library

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LIBRARY GETS AN A FOR EFFORT

If there is one thing I could never do without, it’s the library. Libraries have always been a place of refuge and joy for me. I grew up walking to the library from the time I was eight years old. That was before a child walking by herself  a few blocks from home wasn’t considered child abuse.  It wasn’t just the library I loved, it was the librarians.  I don’t think I’ve ever met a rude librarian.  They’re unfailingly pleasant, patient, and helpful.   Thank heaven, they were only closed for a short time during the pandemic.  And now that they’re open, they’re doing a fantastic job of following CDC guidelines. Our library gets an A for effort from me.

Did I say they were closed?  Actually, they were sort of open.  You could order print  books online.  Then, when you got to the library, you could call inside, and they would bring the books out  to your car. Is that cool, or not?  And then, just to be safe, they “quarantined” the returned books for three days before letting anyone borrow them again.  You can still use this service if you want to.

Library Gets A for effort during this pandeimic. They are enforcing masks.
Library gets “A” for effort. They’re enforcing mask wearing & following CDC guidelines.

When the library re opened to the public,  they had removed  most  of the furniture and put  Plexiglas barriers all over the place.  No plush, comfy sofas and chairs, or wooden reading desks and chairs.  All of which meant people couldn’t spend hours in the library reading newspapers and magazines, or halfway sleeping. ( Sleeping in the library was banned a few years back).  They do have two or three small, metal tables and  chairs.  These came in handy if you need to sit a minute, which I often do, at my age.

 

Everyone is required to wear a mask, and it’s enforced.   I don’t know how these kind, gentle librarians are able to make everyone mask up, but they do.  Yesterday I saw a couple of teenagers approach the door without masks.  I figured they would get away with it.  But when I got inside, they were wearing the paper masks the library provides.  I’d loved to have seen that transaction.  If these sweet librarians can be enforcers, why can’t the people at Aldi’s and the Dollar Store do the same?  I guess it’s a matter of economics.  The stores don’t want to turn down any extra sales, whereas the library isn’t in it for the money.

Why do I go to the library instead of calling and ordering books?  The same reason I don’t have my groceries delivered.  I like to wander the aisles and see what’s there that I hadn’t thought of.   But I feel 100% safer in the library than I do in the supermarket.  There’s no loud talking from barefaced people. No one crowding behind you at the checkout. No clusters of people clogging the aisles for a chat.  The library is quiet, subdued, and safe.  Our local library gets a an A Plus for observing CDC guidelines during the pandemic.

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LIBRARY IS THE SAFEST PLACE

We haven’t eaten in a restaurant for four months.  Took one trip to the doctor in Indy.  Have seen a few family members.  It’s a pretty dull situation when going to the grocery store is the highlight of your week.  Thanks to  the pandemic, life has become rather boring for those of us who aren’t in  panic mode.  The local library was one of the last places allowed to open, way after bars, restaurants and hair salons.  Which seems odd, because our local library appears to be the safest place in town.

While they were closed, you could still order books for curbside  delivery while you waited outside in your car.   All returned books were “quarantined” for several days before going back in circulation.  I think they’re still doing that.

When the public library  finally opened a couple of weeks ago, I barely recognized the interior.   All personnel wore masks.  Strangely enough, it  was nearly empty of patrons.  Maybe four or five  at any given time.  You have to wonder why people would feel comfortable in bars and restaurants, but not in the library, which is spacious,  modern,  and has good air circulation.

Library is the safest place. Computers are spaced far apart.
Books are quarantined, and computers are spaced far apart. Library is the safest place.

They’ve made a lot of changes.  There used to be about 25  computers for use.  People sitting close together while tapping away.  The keys were often greasy. Now, they have fewer computers which are cleaned between use.  Time is limited to one hour.  Free masks are provided, but not mandatory.

The biggest and most important changes are about the furniture.  They’ve removed all the upholstered furniture, and large tables.  Only a few stiff metal chairs and a couple of small metal tables are available. Why is this important?  Because we no longer have  people hanging out in the library. There’s no place to sit or lounge for hours on end.  If you think that’s cruel, , let me add that a local not-for profit has opened a homeless shelter.  Here, the homeless can shower, rest, and get counseling as to ways to get off the streets.  This is a much needed alternative to spending the day in the library and washing your hair in the toilet.  It’s a win win situation for everyone.

If you do take the risk of going to the library, you have another nice surprise in store.  The best seller shelves are full of brand new books.  You have lots more to pick from, even in the large print section.

Are you tired of sitting at home, playing computer games and cleaning your house?  Take a trip to the library..  It’s the safest place.