With entry into stage 3 of the Ontario Action Plan in response to Covid-19 on August 12, Windsor Public Library is provided the opportunity to reopen branches and re-launch services, many of which have been unavailable to the community since March 19.

“The health of our staff and customers is our most important consideration as we plan to re-open,” says Councillor Rino Bortolin, chair of the WPLB. “We have spent considerable time over the past several months preparing to open our doors, preparing our facilities to safely welcome customers and ensuring staff has the training and resources they need. At all times, we will follow provincial re-opening guidelines and direction from the Windsor and Essex County Health Unit.”

On Monday, August 31 WPL will trial a re-opening of Central, Budimir, Riverside and Local History branches under normal operational parameters.  Customers will have direct access to library resources and computers, although meeting rooms will remain closed.  Customers will be asked to self-screen at the door and social distancing will be expected.  If the trial openings go as planned, remaining branches will re-open on Tuesday, September 8.  Curbside Service will end when branches open.

Please note, by an order made under Subsection 4(1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, Mayor Dilkens has declared that a non-medical face covering must be worn in public spaces – including library public spaces.

“When opening branches, WPL will adhere to the Stage 3 Reopening for Ontario Public Libraries guidelines issued by the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries,” says WPL CEO Kitty Pope. “In June we carefully began curbside service and in late July we opened for public computer access.  Much of the planning, organization and adherence to health and safety protocols which guided us through the implementation of those initiatives will continue to be in force when we re-open at the end of August.”

Throughout the re-opening trial, staff will monitor branch activity and make adjustments to the re-opening plan when necessary.