Slave Lake Library Services Update

Jun. 10, 2020 Megan

Update Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Hello Everyone!

You all likely heard the big announcement on Tuesday from our Premier and Dr. Hinshaw that Stage 2 of the relaunch will be commencing on Friday, June 12th. Libraries are included in Stage 2 as one of the organizations that are eligible to re-open. Because of this, we thought we would give you an update regarding where Slave Lake Library is at, and what you can possibly expect moving forward.

At this time, we know that Slave Lake library will not be ready to re-open on Friday, June 12th. At this time we are waiting for supplies and installation of safety equipment, so unfortunately we do not have a hard date to give you.

When we are prepared to re-open, you can expect limited library access, and to start out with, no access to the stacks. We will be asking patrons to book an appointment and library staff will happily retrieve any items from our collection that you would like to borrow. You will also be able to book an appointment to use the library computers and do printing if needed.

For now, we will be continuing to offer our curbside pick-up service and on-line programming will likely continue throughout the summer. Please look to our website – slavelakelibrary.ab.ca for more information, or call the library at 780-849-5250 Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

We are working hard to be able to reopen as soon as possible and we will make a point to keep you informed as soon as we have a date! We look forward to seeing you all very soon!!

Update- May 29, 2020

Since we have started offering curbside pick-up, there has been a lot of excitement, and with the excitement has come questions.

We’ve been receiving a lot of questions at the library about when and how you can continue to take items out of the library, but with everything going on, things are changing at a rapid pace.

Here is what you can do right now:

          1. Interlibrary Loan

We’ve been receiving a lot of questions at the library about when and how you can continue to take items out of the library, but with everything going on, things are changing at a rapid pace.

As of right now, province-wide interlibrary loan is shut down, and we don’t know when it will return. However, we are able to receive items from participating libraries from within the Peace Regional Library System.

The best way to ensure that holds are being placed on your items is by contacting the library at circulation@slavelakelibrary.ab.ca or by calling the library at 780-849-5250, with the titles you want and letting library staff place the holds for you. You can try placing holds through Tracpac, but we cannot guarantee when they will show up or if they will even go through.

This is because the Trac system searches through the database of what is available in four regional library systems for the first available copy of an item. That first available item may not be accessible at this time and as a result, your hold may not make it here. Library staff are able to put holds directly on accessible items which will enable to get the holds to you.

 

          2.Curbside Pickup

Right now, the library is still closed to the public and patrons are not allowed in. However, we have implemented a curb-side pick-up service to allow for items to continue to circulate. This service runs from 11 AM to 3 PM from Monday to Thursday.   Pickup will not be occurring on Friday.

While you will be contacted when your items are available for pick-up, you can contact the library with titles you want as well. You will be scheduled for a 15-minute block where you can come to pick up the items. Please come to the back door and wait behind the pink line. Our staff will be watching for you, and will place your items on a table just outside the door. Please wait until staff are inside the building before approaching to pick up your items. Items can be returned to our outdoor drop box.

The items will be in a plastic Ziploc bag, we ask that you do your best to return them in the same bag so that they can be easily disinfected. The items then remain in quarantine for an additional 5 days. You will not receive fines at this time. Patrons can take out a limit of 10 items at a time.  We ask that you please return what you have before asking for more. The bags will also contain a small pamphlet with directions on how to care for your items, as well as information on our online programming.

 

 

This post will continue to be updated with information as questions come in, and as things change.