North Shore Libraries Taking It Outside To Serve Public

DANVERS, MA — Rachel Alexander would like nothing more than to invite residents back through the doors of the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers to check out the new arrivals, use the desktop computers and even take a few minutes to get lost in a maze of books, magazines and limitless stories.

Unfortunately, coronavirus health crisis-related precautions and restrictions make that impractical and impossible for now, and perhaps the foreseeable future, for the library's head of community and outreach.

So, if the Peabody Institute Library cannot invite residents inside to view their latest materials, they are going to do what might be the next best thing and take the library outside to residents.

For the first time on Wednesday, the Peabody Institute will hold a "Pop-Up Library Event" outside of the Sylvan Street location where the public can browse a limited selection of books and media, and check them out for private use.

"We're just trying to get materials in the patrons' hands while still kind of respecting that there is a pandemic going on, and still trying to keep patrons and staff as safe as possible," Alexander told Patch on Tuesday.

Do you miss browsing for books? Come and visit us on the library's lawn! Wed. 9/23 from 11am-3pm. pic.twitter.com/acpo2r5rTk
— Danvers Library (@DanversLibrary) September 22, 2020

The library shut down, along most indoor municipal buildings and commercial business, at the onset of the coronavirus crisis in March. Yet, while many businesses have slowly reopened during the state's phased process over the past four months, opening the library remains problematic due to the inability to enforce health and safety restrictions.

"It's definitely difficult because a lot of retail is opening up," Alexander said. "We are kind of operating at half capacity with our staff. We do our best. It's always been our goal not to rush anything, and then have to backtrack, so when we do offer services we can continue to offer them and not have to then take them away."

The Beverly Public Library is also holding outdoor events. While municipal buildings reopened to the public — with restrictions — last week, the library logistics make it difficult to reopen the building in that city for indoor, in-person services as well.

We are out on the patio today until 4 PM with all this weeks bestsellers. We've got the latest from Patterson, Follett, Hildebrand, Steel, and lots more. Why wait on the hold list? Come get them while they last. pic.twitter.com/M6zo9ei81y
— BeverlyPublicLibrary (@beverlylibrary) September 22, 2020

The Danvers library does offer curbside pickup through online and phone reservations that are then let outside the location at predetermined appointment time. There is also a laptops-on-the-lawn program where residents are able to use Chromebooks and print materials at outdoor tables Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The wireless signal is always available to residents who want to set up outside where the signal is strong enough on the lawn.

Now Wednesday will be the first opportunity for residents to look through books outside.

"We felt this is a good time while the weather is nice enough to get patrons to stop by and browse materials," Alexander said. "We're hoping to do it a little bit more while the weather holds and it's not terribly cold outside. Because of the staff, it would probably be every other week through October.

"The first one is (Wednesday). We'll see how it goes."