Libraries need month to resume full services

Essex County libraries will reopen Thursday, but it will take at least a month before full programming and services are back in place.

“Everything will be as normal as can be after an eight-month disruption,” said Robin Greenall, CEO for the county’s 14 library branches.

“It will be a bit of a soft start. We ask for some patience as we have a backlog of current books. We have them here, but we need to take the final steps to get them in the computer systems.”

The library’s 55 employees are returning to work following a strike that began June 25.

The first goal is to have librarians “reconnect” with their communities and patrons so everyone is “grounded again,” Greenall said.

“Once that happens then we will re-establish our full programming schedules,” she said.

Greenall does not anticipate regular programming will be in place until some time after the March Break — the week of March 13.

On Thursday, the Essex County Library will open its doors to the public at all 14 branch locations.

Operating hours for each branch are as follows: Amherstburg: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Comber: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; Cottam: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; Essex: 10 a.m.8 p.m.; Harrow: 1:30 p.m. -8 p.m .; Kings v ill e High line :10 a.m .-8 p.m.; Lakeshore-Toldo: 1 p.m.-8 p.m.; LaSalle-Bill Varga: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Leamington: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; McGregor: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; Ruthven: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; Stoney Point: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; Tecumseh-Cada: 10 a.m. -8 p.m.; Woodslee -Libro Centre: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday hours will resume at Lakeshore-Toldo, LaSalle, Leamington and Tecumseh libraries starting on Sunday, Feb. 26.

Patrons will also receive a grace period on fees and fines until April 30.

“We encourage people to bring back books,” Greenall said.

“Bring them back so we can tend to their accounts.”

For more info on the reopening, visit essexcountylibrary.ca.