With COVID-19 safety measures in place, the Geauga County Public Library Board of Trustees are excited to open the newly-constructed Bainbridge branch on Feb. 1.
With COVID-19 safety measures in place, the Geauga County Public Library Board of Trustees are excited to open the newly-constructed Bainbridge branch on Feb. 1.
The Gardiner Center will no longer house the temporary library location as of Jan. 27 and the library branch will be closed Jan. 28 and 29 for final preparation and moving.
As reported last week, The Bainbridge branch, at 17222 Snyder Road, will be the first in the library system to have an enlarged makerspace. Much time and effort has gone into the planning, training and equipment availability with tools such as a 3D printer and scanner, embroidery machine, laser engraver, sublimation equipment for fabric printing and more, according to the GCPL.
As with all the branches, the same safety measures are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which include curbside pickup, contact-free holds, mail delivery in specialized homebound situations and computer appointments limited to one-hour increments.
Currently, all library staff is working at 100% of their required hours, said Assistant Director Kris Carroll, adding, however, limitations still apply in all schedules due to limited public contact.
Carroll said the Winter Reading Program is in full swing virtually and patrons can order their preferred materials, or the staff will make selections.
She said patrons are also utilizing electronic lending, keeping the circulation numbers strong.
Income tax assistance provided through the American Association of Retired Persons will soon be arriving at branches. Details and new safety guidelines will be announced soon, according to the GCPL.
In keeping with the library’s mission to “engage, connect and inspire,” Books by Mail has been implemented in specialized and often temporary circumstances. This program was put in place for patrons with limited access to transportation, are homebound or have temporary curtailed movement, Carroll said, adding it has been well received and is very limited in its use.
“Since one of our core missions is to put materials into the hands of patrons, it would be irresponsible of us if we didn’t find a way to accommodate these people,” Board Trustee Ray Rundelli added.
New library board members were sworn in recently, with Joshua Hutchinson as president for 2021.
