Library able to offer services in more expansive capacity

The Grants Public Library has offered services all throughout the pandemic, but they are now able to offer them in a more expansive capacity. According to Library Director Nadine Jiron, many of the library’s services were being offered throughout the past year but were limited in the way that they could be delivered.

“We were able to offer fax, prints, copies, notary, material check out, reference and community assistance throughout the pandemic. During the pandemic we added the Sharing closet and food pantry which are still available and being utilized daily. Our curbside services have been very busy and in high demand. It was only on the initial onset, the first three weeks, that we were not offering services,” said the director.

Now that Cibola County is in turquoise, the library has more options in the way that they provide their services. The library will continue providing curbside services for the more vulnerable groups and those who still do not feel comfortable entering public settings yet. “We will also continue to offer appointments for public access computers to ensure that our community members are able to access computer times. Because there are limited computers available at this point sessions are limited to 30 mins per patron,” said Jiron.

The process of transitioning and operating in this capacity with more options has required a bit of adjustment and adaptability on the library’s part. There are many guidelines that the library is following, as suggested by “REALM studies for libraries and their materials.” Some of these guidelines include quarantining materials for at least 48 hours before sanitizing them and returning them to their shelves. Staff also have to sanitize computers and the mice that go along with them after each individual use.

When asked how it feels for the library have gotten to this point, Jiron said, “Our staff has worked very hard to ensure that we are providing needed services to the community in whatever way possible during the pandemic. We have been able to come together and find safe, effective ways of offering these services. I am very proud of the entire staff here at library for their dedication and willingness to do whatever it takes to continue to provide as many services possible during the uncertainty of the pandemic. We have a strong, helpful, resourceful staff who work extremely well together.”

In regard to whether any library events would be occurring in the near future, Jiron said that the summer reading program for Grants Public Library was kicked off on June 1 and the program will run until July 31. The program is being offered both virtually and in-person, and it will include weekly themes with fun activities such as crafts, games, challenges, healthy cooking projects, and story times. Community members can register to participate in a reading log challenge in which the log can be turned in at the end of the summer and be entered into a drawing for a prize. The library has also facilitated events such as a veteran hiring event, Mock it to Rock it, and a Book Talk book club, which will resume with its monthly meetings in June.

“Our community has been a wonderful support and we appreciate everyone who has continued to support us,” expressed Director Jiron. “At this point we are not accepting book donations and due to the generous donations of food and clothing we are unable to accept any others for the time being. The staff at the Grants Public Library would like to thank everyone for their patience, understanding and support during the pandemic and through this transition. We have been shown kindness and appreciation by many and it is truly appreciated. We are happy to be such a vital part of this community and hope to continue to be able to offer safe, efficient services.”