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Library open for browsing

Laptops, hotspots available for checkout

By Angie Landsverk


The Waupaca Area Public Library reopened for browsing and hold pickups on Monday, March 1.

“We felt like it’s the right time to open services back up,” said Library Director Peg Burington.

That is due to the decrease in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Waupaca County, as well as a decrease in hospitalizations and deaths, she said.

Both levels of the library are now open for what Burington describes as “intentional browsing” and checking out materials.

She said people are asked to limit their time in the library to 30 minutes.

The maximum number of people that may be in the building at one time is 50, and that includes both levels, Burington said.

Patrons are to physically distance from others, and those age 2 and older are required to wear masks, she said.

Hand sanitizer is available in multiple places.

She said people who use the computers and self checkout do so at their own risk.

Patrons should continue to return all items in the outside book drop, Burington said.

That is because everything needs to be quarantined for at least 24 hours before being handled by staff, which is based on the guidelines of the library system, she said.

“We meet weekly to talk about what the (COVID-19) numbers look like,” Burington said.

The library’s study rooms reopened last week, and people may use a room for up to one hour.

“What we heard from patrons is they miss coming in, and we miss seeing them,” she said.

While both levels of the library are open, Burington said they are only able to offer four computers on the main level for public use due to social distancing requirements.

The lower level is only open for browsing, with the teen room’s current capacity being eight people.
The library also continues to offer its curbside service.

Burington said they average 50 pickups per day.

The preliminary results of a recent survey showed 20% to 30% would still use the service, even after the pandemic ends, she said.

There are vulnerable populations who would always benefit from such a service.

“It’s interesting. So many have found curbside to work for them,” she said. “Our library is set up in a way where it does work.”

The library has an exit to the parking lot.

The curbside service is three times more work for staff members, Burington said.

Staff members take phone calls from patrons, get the items ready for curbside and then deliver them outside to the patrons.

She said they are excited to see patrons in person again.

“We want to see people using the library,” Burington said. “We’re looking forward to seeing their masked faces in the building.”

Laptops

The library now has five laptops available for checkout to adults.

Made possible by a grant from the Public Service Commission, the friends of Appleton Library Inc. and the Outagamie Waupaca Library System facilitated it.

Burington said this fits in with the library’s goal of increasing access for area residents.

With 38% of the families in the Waupaca School District qualifying for free or reduced lunch, local officials know technology is limited to some in the community.

“With the pandemic, there’s an even greater need for technology,” Burington said. “That’s how you stay connected to family and friends.”

The library board approved the laptop lending policy when it met last week.

Laptops are available to those age 18 and older who have an Infosoup Library Card in good standing.

They must be checked out and returned to the library’s main desk.

Laptops may be placed on hold but not routed through delivery.

There is a limit of one laptop per patron, and they are loaned for two weeks, with no renewals.

“Our real goal is to get them into the hands of those who need them,” Burington said.

Hotspots

The library is also getting ready to loan out 13 hotspots, after receiving grants to purchase them.

“Other libraries in the consortium have circulated them in the past,” she said.

Access to internet at home is something library officials thought about often this past year.

The Waupaca Library Foundation received a $5,241 grant through the Bright Idea Fund to provide hotspots to Infosoup card holders.

That grant covered the cost of purchasing 10 hotspots.

In addition, the Waupaca Area Community Foundation provided another $1,500 to buy three more hotspots.

Burington expects the hotspots to be available for checkout late this week.

As with the laptops, only those age 18 and older may check them out.

Hotspots may be checked out for a two-week period, with the opportunity for a renewal if no one is waiting for one.

They must be picked up and returned at the library’s main desk.

She recommends people call the library ahead of time to check on the availability of the laptops and hotspots.

Having hotspots available is a 12-month pilot program.

“I suspect 13 hotspots would be a a big piece of the library’s technology budget,” Burington said.

She noted the need to provide the service is because of the pandemic.

Eventually, people will be able to spend more time in the library.

However, the library could decide to still have some hotspots available going forward, depending on funding sources, she said.

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