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Additional library services resuming at more branches starting Monday, March 8

Ottawa public library logoed bag on wheels/sac de la bibliotheque sur des pneus
OPL_BPO_Comms

Mar 02, 2021

Starting Monday, March 8, 28of the 33Ottawa Public Library branches will welcome customers inside for returns and holds pick up, with additional services, such as browsing and use of public computers.  
   
Due to provincial regulations, branch capacity will be limited, and masks must be worn both inside the branches and in lineups outside.    
    
The 28branches offering these additional in-person services are:   

Alta Vista, Beaverbrook, Blackburn Hamlet, Carlingwood, Carp, Centennial, Constance Bay, Cumberland, Elmvale Acres, Emerald Plaza, Greely, Greenboro, Hazeldean, Main, Manotick, Munster, Nepean Centrepointe, North Gloucester, North Gower, Osgoode, Richmond, Rideau, Rockcliffe Park, Ruth E. Dickinson, Sunnyside, Stittsville, St.  Laurent, and Vanier.  
    
The Bookmobile will offer a small collection for browsing at all its stops, as well as contactless returns and holds pick up.  
                 
Orléans, Rosemount, and Metcalfe Village branches areoffering contactless returns and holds pick up inside the branches.  
   
The Kiosk Services at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre remain closed at this time.  
   
Hours of operation remain the same. Library customers are encouraged to check their branch’s webpagebefore visiting in-person.  
    
Branches that remain closed are Fitzroy Harbour, and Vernon. OPL is working to reopen these locations as soon as possible.    

Library materials can be returned at all open branches during hours of operation. Book drops remain closed when the branches are closed. 

Ottawa Public Library continues to follow direction from the Province of Ontario and guidance from Ottawa Public Health to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. 

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Comments

Lack of contactless service for At risk Seniors

Submitted by dwinston on March 2, 2021 - 11:17am
I had been hoping that some arrangement could have been made for Seniors such as my wife and I who are avoiding entrance into stores et until we get vaccinated in May. Perhaps one afternoon per week or some specific day and time for curbside pickup and dropoff. Our home branch is Hazeldean [comment edited to remove personal info]

Possible solution

Submitted by Tania_Library on March 8, 2021 - 4:35pm
The Hazeldean team is happy to help seniors outside. Monday. Wednesday and Friday mornings are quieter times, and the person at the front door of the branch can help. You do not need to come inside. Please just alert the team by waving from outside during opening hours.. We will come out to see you.

Kiosk

Submitted by JDR on March 3, 2021 - 3:57pm
Why is it that branches co-located with community centres are opened, but the Kiosk service located at the Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre remains closed?

Re: Kiosk

Submitted by OPL_BPO_Comms on March 16, 2021 - 3:15pm
The Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre is currently closed until March 31, 2021 so we cannot operate the kiosk while the building is closed. Updates regarding the reopening will be available on the OPL website.

rapidité d'emprunt

Submitted by lfmonge on March 6, 2021 - 10:05am
Le livre que je désires est disponible dans plusieurs autres emplacements que celle de mon quartier, pourquoi ma réservation se limite à la biliotèque de mon quartier. J'aimerais le réservé et aller le chercher où il est disponible. Est-ce possible?

Re : Rapidité d'emprunt

Submitted by OPL_BPO_Comms on March 16, 2021 - 3:13pm
Si le livre désiré est disponible sur les étagères des autres emplacements, il est possible de demander le transfert dans votre succursale. Vous pouvez vérifier la disponibilité en cliquant sur "Disponibilité par succursale". Vous pouvez également changer l’adresse de la succursale enregistrée dans votre compte afin que vous puissiez aller chercher le livre désiré à la succursale de votre choix.

rapidité d'emprunt

Submitted by lfmonge on March 6, 2021 - 10:05am
Le livre que je désires est disponible dans plusieurs autres emplacements que celle de mon quartier, pourquoi ma réservation se limite à la biliotèque de mon quartier. J'aimerais le réservé et aller le chercher où il est disponible. Est-ce possible?

Please Allow Returns AFTER hours!

Submitted by nancymyers on March 16, 2021 - 12:46am
Its illogical that we are NOT allowed to use the outside drop boxes/drive through slots for returns AFTER HOURS, since "library hours" often don't align with the publics'.... which IS WHY they were invented in the first place!! Many branches have shortened hours, and even use different closing hours on alternate days, and it's not always realistic/possible to check website for latest.....especially when we are ADVISED/encouraged to limit OUR own outings. By now, we all know that aerosols are THE most dangerous mode of Covid transmission, NOT touching, (although common sense would also mandate staff using gloves, handwashing etc. as appropriate while handling items before quarantine) WHY, If alternatives are easily available, would your staff (or public) WANT to breath the "exhaust" aerosols (masked or not) from dozens of extra people breathing through double doors, lobbies etc. and make us ALL walk inside JUST to drop items in boxes, rather than allow us to stay outside and use the drop slots? We could also return items as soon as possible, rather than having to wait extra time over night, weekend, holidays etc. when our schedules aren't aligned. Of course staff should be protected, but reducing THEIR *unnecessary* exposure to dozens of EXTRA folks every day would help protect THEM too. We WERE directed to USE those slots when we waited outside for pickups, so presumably there were big bins/boxes/bags inside to catch items, and keep separated for quarantine. Can't you use Bigger bins on wheels, and/or use fewer drop slots, so AFTER HOURS returns can still be covered/quarantined etc., AND get back into the system more quickly? Thanks for doing so much to keep libraries running, but this part makes no sense. "Remote returns" help EVERYONE!!

Re: Please Allow Returns AFTER hours!

Submitted by OPL_BPO_Comms on March 17, 2021 - 10:47am
Thank you for your comment. 24-hour book return is one of the services we know cardholders want back the most. We are working to make it happen as soon as possible. In order to comply with the quarantine requirement and provincial guidelines, book drops cannot be opened when branches are closed as items overflow and jam the book drops and/or automated conveyor. We are working on a solution, but until then, library materials can be returned at 31 open branches during hours of operation. Most locations have evening and Saturday hours. Please consult OPL’s Hours and Locations webpage: https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/library

Re: after hours returns (and reduced hours)

Submitted by veryeasy on March 20, 2021 - 5:39pm
"In order to comply with the quarantine requirement and provincial guidelines, book drops cannot be opened when branches are closed as items overflow and jam the book drops and/or automated conveyor." I struggle to make sense of that statement. Conveyor belts are not a new technology invented as a result of Covid. You had conveyor belts before, and they worked. If you need staff inside after hours, good. Put people inside. People need work! When you tell customers they have 21 days to return items, but you illogically stop after hours returns and completely arbitrarily shorten the opening hours without notice, even at the "Main" branch, it means they don't actually have 21 days, or even 20. And why are you closed on Sundays? Is this the 1950's? Please try harder to act like a first world capital city in the year 2021. Thank you.

Re: Re: after hours returns (and reduced hours)

Submitted by OPL_BPO_Comms on April 8, 2021 - 11:45am
Like other sectors and services, we have had to reinvent and adapt several times throughout the pandemic. Not all of these changes are fully visible to the public. Returned materials are quarantined before being processed. Most open branches have varying daytime and evening hours to help accommodate different schedules. There are also no more late fees. We are doing what we can to balance several considerations and sincerely appreciate everyone's patience and understanding when making use of the Library during the pandemic.

Allow returns after hours, via slots

Submitted by nancymyers on March 16, 2021 - 12:51am
Sorry, inadvertent double comment, but can't delete copy.