INNISFAIL – The doors of the Innisfail Public library may be shut but it’s still very much operational with ongoing convenience along with its magical cyberspace resource wonderland.
Due to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic, libraries across the province were ordered closed for four weeks beginning Dec. 13 by the Alberta government. However, the increased restrictions did not mean local library staff was just sent home without thought to providing public access to library resources.
In fact, the Innisfail Public library (IPL) still has its full staff working, including library manager Tara Downs, assistant manager Lindsey Budd, three circulation staff, and Sherry Driezen, who has been the library’s beloved ‘Miss Sherry’, the children’s programmer, since 2003.
Downs said while there may have been initial concern in the community there was total suspension of all services, the matter was looked into by the province’s Public Libraries Services branch, which is under Alberta Municipal Affairs, and municipal libraries were given the go ahead to offer curbside service, in addition to providing and promoting a full array of online resources.
“We were able to begin on December 14 without any interruption of current circulation and program kit service,” said Downs, emphasizing that even without being able to provide in-person services nothing has really changed.
“If they (citizens) are even not sure what they want, because some people are browsers, they can still give us an idea of what they want. We can pick similar titles for them, put together a bag for them of different selections. We still have the DVDs as well. They can call us,” said Downs.
“What happens is that they will be notified when those things arrive. Just give us a call and let us know when they want to (curbside) pick them up and we will put them outside on a table for them."
“The only thing you can’t come and do is say hi to us,” said Downs with a chuckle.
As well, the library’s popular children’s kits can also be accessed through the curbside pick-up service, including the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), kit once a month, Crafternoon kit every two weeks (Dec. 30), and Storytime kit every week (Dec. 30), with the most recent one being for preschoolers that features reindeer craft with reindeer ‘food’ to be sprinkled on Christmas Eve.
And then there is Twilight Teddies, an annual program where kids can wear their ‘jammies ‘and bring teddy bears for a Christmas story, craft, and snack. In non-COVID years it’s held in the library but this year Miss Sherry has posted this Storytime on Facebook. There is a take-home kit that includes a craft, hot chocolate, and cookies.
Not to be forgotten, with many families staying home with their children on New Year’s, is that Budd has put together a Family New Year’s Kit, which will include a craft, activities, and a treat to ‘Ring in the New Year’. There will be 30 kits available, but the library is prepared to have more if there is demand.
If any citizen wants access to resource and reading materials over the current pandemic shutdown, they can be ordered online at ipl.prl.ab.ca or by phone or email.
The public has easy online access to thousands of books, audiobooks, magazines, comics, newspapers, as well as to video tutorials, consumer reports, new language help (Pronunciator), homework assistance (Solaro) and even a genealogy database. The only requirement for citizens to access the online service is to have a library card.
“We literally have some people that we see once a year,” said Downs. “They will come in to renew their cards but they don’t take out anything besides digital resources.”
Library operations are still open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, as well as from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. The library will be open on limited holiday hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, closing both days at 3 p.m. The library will be closed Dec. 25, 28 and on Jan. 1.
For more information on the current services offered by the library call 403-227-4407 or email at [email protected]
