Covid-19

Library operations update

Stage 3: July 16, 2021

In-person browsing continues with longer visit times permitted as we can have more people in the branch at a time. Our public computers are available on a first come first service basis with usual time limits in place (30 minutes if others are waiting). Free wi-fi is always available in the branch and outside the buildings, except at South Elmsley as we are undergoing renovations.

Printing is also available with flexible payment options. Our main branch in Elgin now has debit/credit payment.

Curbside Pick-up services are ongoing. If you have any questions or need further help email, call your branch, or contact us.

What you need to know:

  • Our hours remain the same.
  • You will be able to browse shelves for materials: books, DVDS, magazines, and more.
  • You may use your own device to access wifi or use a computer.
  • South Elmsley Hall location (441 Highway 15) will continue with curbside as well as limited browsing of new books.

At Rideau Lakes Public Library we value you as a library member, your access to information and the safety of our community so we are taking all precautions recommended by health officials.  For more details, consult our Re-Opening Plan document.

Library hours and pick-up service

Table showing opening hours for all five locations of Rideau Lakes Public Library since August 4 2020

Click on the image to expand the schedule for pick-ups and in-branch hours. Get details of curbside pick-up.

For everyone’s safety we need you to:

  • review a checklist posted at the branch to ensure you are not experiencing any Covid-19 like symptoms and have not been travelling outside of Canada or in contact with anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms.  Stay home and stay safe if you feel unwell.  You may also access the Ontario self-assessment tool here.
  • wear a mask as required by the Lanark, Leeds, Grenville Health Unit as of July 6 2020.  Staff will also have masks and may even add face shields – we’ve got it covered!
  • wash or clean your hands when entering or leaving the branch.
  • please be mindful of the time as other community members may want to enter the library.
Smiling staff members have masks on and demonstrate the 2 meter or 6 foot physical distance by keeping 2 book carts between them.
Curbside Pickup Info
Place a Hold for Pickup

FAQs

  1. When will the library be returning to former, pre-Covid19, hours?

Our modified open and curbside pick-up hours will remain the same this summer. We hope to return to full branch hours this September after Labour Day, except in South Elmsley where we are under construction. Please see our current hours listed in the table above or visit our locations and hours page.

2. Does the library still quarantine returned items?

In line with provincial guidelines, we no longer quarantine our library materials. Many public libraries in Ontario made the shift to a 24 hour period this spring and most no longer have any quarantine period for returned library materials. Here are 2 documents from Kitchener Public Library and Vaughan Public Library with background research that informed this decision.

If you have any questions or concerns around quarantining library items, please contact Vicki, CEO at vicki@rlpl.ca

Please note that as we re-open:

  • Curbside Pick-Up remains an option at 5 locations 6 days out of the week.
  • we continue to offer eCollections and virtual programs.
  • Wifi is always available outside of all branches.
  • drop-boxes are open for returning items: the South Elmsley drop-box is next to the hall (441 Highway 15)

You are able to check out eBooks, eAudiobooks, music and more with our fantastic e-collections : Overdrive/Libby, Hoopla & Flipster Contact us at info@rlpl.ca if you are having difficulty logging in or can’t access your PIN.

We will continue to look to public health officials and our municipal partners to assess the changing situation.  We will let you know of any further changes through http://www.rlpl.ca, our newsletter, and social media sites.

One of the best tools in our fight against viral pandemics is awareness and accurate information so we have included trusted sources of information on this page.  Working together we can help to ensure that COVID-19 does not lead to unnecessary fear or division in our community.  RLPL’s priority is to help keep the public and our staff safe, healthy and informed.

Vicki Stevenson, CEO, vicki@rlpl.ca, (613) 359-5334

Information on Covid-19

What is Covid-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some can infect animals, and some can infect humans. COVID-19 is a new disease caused by the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic in March 2020.

Those who are infected with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 are often similar to other illnesses.

Source: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): About the coronavirus disease

Self-assessment tools

For those persons who may be concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19, the federal government has created an online self-assessment tool. You will be asked a series of questions and dependent upon the responses and symptoms identified, the tool will provide advice, giving one of the four following actions:

Access the Ontario self-assessment tool here.

Daily Updates

Informational Resources

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