Covid-19

Library operations update

As of December 28, 2020 – returning to Phase 1 : Curbside Pick-up

We are returning to curbside pick-up as of December 28 – January 23, 2021 (date may be subject to change).

What you need to know:

Our hours will remain the same
Our drop-boxes remain open
You will not be able to browse in the branches
You can place holds via your account from home or contacting your local branch
We will continue to quarantine items for the 72 hour period.

Please keep checking our website for further updates, stay safe, and have a good holiday.

As of July 28, 2020

We are excited to re-open our branches beginning Tuesday, August 4th 2020, as part of the Stage 3 re-opening guidelines set out by the provincial government.

You will be able to:

browse the shelves for materials: books, DVDS, magazines, and more.
use your own device to access wifi for 45 minutes.
book a computer for 45 minute sessions.
ask staff for help finding resources.
update or get a new library card!

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.

To ensure everyone’s safety and well being we need you to:

review a checklist to ensure you are not experiencing any covid 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 or 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.

Please note that during this Stage Three of Re-opening:

Curbside PIck-Up is continuing at 5 locations 6 days out of the week.
we continue to offer eCollections and virtual programs.
Wifi continues to be available outside of all branches.
dropboxes are available for returning items.
any outstanding or overdue items will be renewed.
any fines on DVDs will be forgiven.

Our new hours include more days at the main branch in Elgin, and a morning opening time in Newboro. South Elmsley remains curbside pick-up only at the municipal hall on highway 15 near the O.P.P.

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 (temporary reduced branch office hours Monday, Wednesday Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

Information on Covid-19

What is Covid-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). Some transmit easily from person to person while others do not. COVID-19 is a new disease that has not been previously identified in humans.

China determined that a novel coronavirus (referred to as COVID-19) is responsible for the outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan. Authorities in China and worldwide are conducting further investigations to better understand where the disease came from, how it is spread and the clinical severity of illness in humans.

Source: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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: