The North Hastings Public Library has closed, but the library’s CEO Kim McMunn says they’re working on expanding on what they offer online.
“We really don’t know where this is going to take us,” she says of the virus. Now that they have a better idea of where things are heading, she says staff decided to put more effort into what they offer online by purchasing more e-books and beefing up their social media presence and their website.
The library – like many others – already offered e-books. “We added to our collection above and beyond the basic levels,” McMunn says. “It’s a select group of materials called Advantage Plus.” She says this helps get the most in-demand books to people who are looking for them.
“Unfortunately online materials are very expensive,” McMunn says. That’s why the library looked to bring in “good value” materials while also getting some popular books.
McMunn says they’re also looking at ways to get physical books to people. The idea of doing curbside pick-up has been floated by staff along with delivery, but nothing has been solidified yet. “What we will do is look for opportunities to work within the boundaries we’re given,” she says. “Right now though, we just don’t have a lot of answers.”
McMunn says they are doing what they can to continue to stay connected to the community. She says to keep an eye on the windows at the library’s building at 14 Flint Street in Bancroft. Updates on what they’re doing will be posted there.