Library opens for browsing, computer use by appointment

After months of being closed to the general public, the Wareham Free Library’s essential location is now open to guests by appointment for restricted searching and laptop use.

“Individuals who wished to come back in to take a look at the gadgets that now we have on the shelf can accomplish that,” mentioned library director George Ripley. “However naturally we’re taking each precaution we are able to to guard the security and the well being of not solely the library patrons and the residents of Wareham, but in addition the workers as effectively.” 

Ripley mentioned guests are required to put on face masks and preserve 6 ft of social distance whereas contained in the library. Hand sanitizer is broadly out there, dividers have been put in and frequently-touched surfaces will probably be cleaned usually, he mentioned.

“The opposite factor is, we’re limiting the quantity of people that can come into the library at a time to 25 individuals, to keep up the secure quantity of distance and area inside the library itself,” Ripley mentioned. 

The easiest way to make an appointment is looking the library’s entrance desk at 508-295-2343 ext. 0 or by emailing the circulation desk (warehamcirc@sailsinc.org) or Ripley (gripley@sailsinc.org).

4 computer systems can be found to the general public by appointment, Ripley mentioned. The library can now present fax providers, photocopying and scanning as soon as once more as effectively.

The curbside pickup service that has been supplied throughout a lot of the pandemic stays out there, Ripley mentioned. 

Library customers can merely put a maintain on a e book — whether or not it’s on the Wareham library or one other library within the state — and wait to be notified when the e book is able to be picked up. When the e book is obtainable, a patron can name to rearrange a time to have the e book introduced out to his or her automotive within the parking zone. 

For months, curbside pickup has solely been out there on the essential library location on Marion Highway. However beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 1, the Spinney Memorial Department on Onset Avenue will start providing restricted curbside pickup from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

“We’re going to strive it as an experiment to see the way it goes,” Ripley mentioned.

Folks may also participate within the library’s e book grab-bag program.

“We’ll speak to them slightly bit — work out what sort of books they like, what are a few of their favourite genres, favourite authors, what books don’t they like, after which get 5 or 6 collectively for them to choose up,” Ripley mentioned. “It’s sort of like slightly little bit of a shock, trigger you don’t know what’s in there. It may be one thing you’ve learn earlier than. It may be one thing you’ve by no means ever even heard of earlier than.”

Ripley mentioned the library has elevated its digital assortment as effectively. The gathering contains books, audiobooks, music, TV reveals, motion pictures, graphic novels and comedian books that may be accessed from dwelling at any time. Library customers can entry digital sources utilizing both the Libby/Overdrive platform or the Hoopla platform.

Digital library programming can also be out there on-line, so individuals ought to keep watch over the library’s web site and social media Ripley added.

Ripley mentioned the plan is to maintain offering the present stage of library service so long as it may be finished safely.

The library is closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 26.