Chief Librarian Update: May 15, 2020

Hamilton, thank you for your overwhelming support. Your questions and comments are evidence of everyone’s desire to move toward phased reopening.

You may have heard that the May 14 Government of Ontario announcement included libraries’ opening for holds pick-up effective May 19. It also stated that businesses should only open when they are ready.

While it is positive news that we will be able to offer limited service, we need to ensure that we have a plan in place. I am in contact with the Library Board and the City of Hamilton Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). They agree, we will not be open for holds pick-up this month (May). We will provide an update soon about when we will be able to safely do this. 

I have heard from a number of other libraries in the GTHA and they are working towards offering this in June. We will work toward June, but we need to ensure we have plans in place first. We need to address necessary health and safety precautions. We will align our stages with the City of Hamilton’s plan and the needs of the community. We continue to serve members virtually by phone, email, chat and online programming, and support Public Health’s response to the pandemic. 

We all look forward to safely welcoming Hamiltonians back to the Library. We will keep everyone updated as plans evolve.

Paul Takala,

Chief Librarian/CEO Hamilton Public Library