Library reopens to joyful patrons
PARADISE » While staff cars mostly outnumbered patrons, Thursday was a happy second day of opening for the Paradise library at 5922 Clark Road.
Given the go-ahead to open Tuesday, the library is now staffed 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Smiles were evident on the faces of staff members and patrons alike.
Librarian Cynthia Pustejovsky said patrons have been walking through the door a little confused as they see the changes. Tables have no chairs to beckon to leisurely readers, and patrons are asked to stay no more than 30 minutes. Browsing is welcome and borrowing is self-done. Restrooms are closed, and social distancing and masks are a must.
“But what’s good is that here is another opportunity in Paradise, another location, for entertainment and recreation,” Pustejovsky said.
As usual, events like this are community building in light of the Camp Fire and then the coronavirus shutdown.
But it has been hard for ridge residents who saw their library closed by the fire and then remain closed as smoke damage to the building was handled.
“We only reopened Aug. 1, 2019,” she said, then got the order to close in midMarch. Because it was such a shock, it was like reliving the days of the fire for some, she noted.
“We’re looking forward to getting back into a routine,” said Pustejovsky, who also manages the libraries in Biggs, Gridley and Durham.
She is vividly aware of the impact, having gone from a circle of patrons in the thousands to 575 as of this week.
“At least those are the ones who identify themselves as being from Paradise or the ridge. There are folks still down in Chico.”
As in the other Butte County libraries that opened this week, visitors were anxious to pick up where they’d left off — checking out books, borrowing movies, chatting with staff who’ve become friends, appropriately distanced.
Appreciating the heft of a good book, or in one woman’s case on Thursday, browsing the seed library for an addition to her garden, were foundations for happiness.
The staff regularly wipes down and disinfects points of public contact. Bottles of sanitizer are evident throughout. While the computerized card catalogs are usable, the other computers for public use are not accessible.
“People are disappointed.
If they wanted to make a copy or check the internet, they can’t.”
The county library system is still available 24/7 through its online services, but the curbside service that was available earlier has been suspended. Patrons can register for a library ecard to access the online library.
More information about the library rules is on the Butte County website www. buttecounty.net/bclibrary or on its Facebook page www.facebook.com/ButteCountyLibrary or by calling the new centralized phone number, 552-5652. All branches of the library system can be reached through that phone number.