So my library is closed today. We’re closed from May 1-5 to do a couple of tiny little projects, like:
- RFID tag almost 500,000 items
- Install 11 new self-check machines throughout the building
- retrofit our automated material handler for RFID tags
- Install new RFID security gates
- Remove a bunch of DVDs and CDs from lockboxes (and get rid of the lockboxes)
- Oh, and put in some new carpet too, while we’re at it!
To get all this done, we’re using our staff (because they are awesome), and we needed to “close the library.” But here’s the deal: our building is (mostly) closed, but the library? Not so much. Here’s what I mean:
- First off, the whole building isn’t closed. You can still use some of our meeting rooms, visit the art gallery, the cafe, or our bookstore.
- Telephone and chat reference is still open.
- The digital branch is open – our website, our library catalog, our social media channels are still running.
- Databases? They’re still available.
- Ebooks? Yep – still available.
- Bookmobiles? Still running.
- Our outreach vehicles? Still going strong.
- WIFI in the building? Still available.
- Computers at local community centers (run by the library) are still available.
- Holds? Still available on bookmobiles and through our book locker in one of the community centers.
- … and probably some other stuff that I missed.
This actually made signage difficult for us! Some of our signs around the building say “library closed.” And some of them say “library closed, but …” You can see more of our signs here.
So – is the library closed because we closed a building? Nope. Today’s library is much larger than the building.