CARIBOU, Maine — After being closed to the public for nearly four months, the Caribou Public Library has reopened its doors, although the facility will adhere to a number of state guidelines in order to ensure the safety of its patrons.
Masks are required in the library and patrons will be asked a series of questions at the door regarding possible coronavirus symptoms. They will also be given hand sanitizer so they can safely touch any books on the shelf.
Only 10 people will be allowed inside at one time, and visits will be limited to half an hour. Computers and printers are also available for half an hour each session.
The Children’s Room on the lower floor is closed except via family appointments, which can be made by contacting the library and setting up a time slot on Monday through Friday — either from 9 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. or from 9:30 a.m. to 9:55 a.m..
Adults are free to browse the Children’s Room, and families can also call the library in advance and request that books from the room be made available.
Staff at the library are asking that returns be deposited in the book drop-off outside the library, and are continuing to offer remote checkout services, allowing the public to request books in advance without having to physically enter the library. Once reserved, the books will be bagged and placed on a table outside the library for pick up.
Library Director Hope Rumpca-Shafer said the facility is open its regular hours — from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, and closed on weekends.
Recently, the library began its Summer Reading Program for children, teens and adults. It also is hosting a display for Brain Injury Awareness Month, which features art created by people suffering from brain injuries and was rescheduled to July after the facility closed to the public in March.
Rumpca-Shafer said the public reaction to the library’s reopening has been positive so far.
“They are adhering to all of the rules and regulations, and everyone is just thrilled to be in the library again,” she said. “Things look a little different, and while we once had some amazing patrons come and stay until seven at night, we can’t do that anymore. We have to follow the state’s guidelines, and we’ve thoroughly gone through everything to make sure we’re in compliance.”
When the library first opened on Monday, Rumpca-Shafer said people were waiting at the door in the morning.
“The most we’ve had in the library at a time so far is eight,” she said, “which is great because people haven’t had to stand outside and wait. We’ve all remarked this week about how excited we are to see people again. And that’s our job — to make people happy by putting reading material in their hands. Curbside pickup was great, but having people in the library is just 10 times more wonderful.”
