The Southwick Public Library will open July 13 by appointment. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS PHOTO)
SOUTHWICK – Southwick Public Library Director Lynn Blair announced this week the good news that the library will open on Mon., July 13 for its normal summer hours, although the number of patrons at any given time will be limited.
Blair said they will be following the state’s guidance for Phase 3, some of which was specifically given to libraries. “Each phase, we’ve gotten library-specific guidance. I’m pretty impressed. I’m glad we do, because we don’t fit in any particular category,” she said.
Beginning on Monday, the Southwick Public Library will offer browsing and computer use by appointment. Patrons will have a one-hour window in the library when they make an appointment.
Appointments may be made by calling 413-569-1221, and indicating how many people will be coming, as they will also count. Library patrons are limited to 12 at a time.
Southwick Public Library Director Lynn Blair (THE WESTFIELD NEWS SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Blair said different libraries are following the guidance in different ways, according to the number of staff and the size of their space. “We decided it would be easier to have people make appointments, so people know they are guaranteed to get in. Any time during our open hours, people can sign up for a one-hour browsing session,” she said.
Summer open hours which begin July 13 are Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 to 8 p.m.; and, Thursdays and Fridays, 1 to 5 p.m.
Blair said they have begun taking appointments, and have quite a few for the Monday, 10 a.m. time slot already. But, she said there are slots available.
Curbside pickup will be continuing indefinitely, if people don’t want to come in for an appointment. Blair said it has been very convenient for people who still like to get items from the library.
“It’s going to be a learning experience, we’ll figure it out as we go. We have a great staff. Everyone’s been very helpful,” Blair said, adding, “It will be nice to see people in here again, and have some face-to-
face contact. It’s been pretty empty for a while.”
