LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield Public Library will welcome visitors back inside starting on April 5.
Visitors can book a 45-minute appointment to browse the library’s materials, use computers, access the genealogy room and get help from librarians. Social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols will still be in place, said Director Jennifer Inglis, but she is very excited to see library patrons again.
“The pandemic is not over,” Inglis said. “Hopefully, people will be so happy to be here that it won’t even bother them.”
Inglis hopes that in the coming weeks, as the library irons out the kinks of their reopening plan and brings on more staff, they will be able to not only offer more appointments but allow walk-in visitors.
During the pandemic, the library has been doing what it can to stay connected with its patrons. In addition to curbside pickup of books and other items, they have offered appointments for use of the computers and expanded their digital offerings, Inglis said, allowing people to acquire a library card without visiting the library.
During the past year, they have had around 4,500 pickup visits, and more than 1,000 people have attended remote programming, which has included a variety of events such as mindfulness and relaxation, magicians, art classes and lectures about various topics.
In addition to digital materials, they have also offered take-home Chromebook computers and internet hotspots for residents who may not have access otherwise, as well as arts and crafts kits for all ages.
“We know people in Lynnfield love art programming,” Inglis said, adding that those kits have been very popular.
The library has also requested a handful of capital projects be approved by the town to help them offer more services. One new offering that they will roll out soon is a cellphone app that will allow visitors to scan their own materials for self-checkout, allowing them to skip the line. Inglis said that not only will this make it easier to check out books, but it will provide an extra layer of privacy for patrons who may be checking out serious materials.
In addition, the library has requested funding for new book return boxes, as well as proposed a walk-up checkout window to address the issue of the building’s only current entrance, which is very narrow and presents social distancing issues.
Inglis called that proposal a bit of a “pipe dream,” as it would involve installing the window and building a new sidewalk, but said it would be great to have in order to continue offering the curbside pickups that they have been doing for the past few months.
“Once you start to do this, you can never take it away,” she joked.
Inglis said that she is glad that the library has been there for many residents who have felt isolated during a year of quarantine. She noted one call that she received from an elderly resident who had always used the library before, and received a computer from her children during the pandemic. She had complimented the library staff on always being able to help her with the unfamiliar technology.
“She started doing Zoom programs, audiobooks and e-books,” Inglis said. “She’s now comfortable enough that she can help her friends. We’ve given her the tools and resources. Whenever someone has trouble, she tells them to just call the library.”
