GRANTS, N.M. – Grants Public Library, which serves area residents of all ages, has adapted to meet patron needs during the pandemic.
The facility now offers Wi-Fi access in the parking lot and within the indoor courtyard; previously access was only available to patrons inside the building who scheduled 30- minute appointments in advance. The library is a recipient of a free Wi-Fi extender from a non-profit group through the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center. The technological equipment was installed in the indoor courtyard earlier this year. Director Nadine Jiron emphasized that an additional firewall prevents the threat of misuse. The equipment includes a timer which shuts down the equipment after regular library hours; this discourages users from lingering on the premises. She added that the indoor courtyard is still being used as dining for the Whistle Stop Café, which leases space in the city-owned building.
“With colder months approaching they will need to utilize it as indoor dining since they are limited on floor space inside the café,” explained Jiron.
The library modified its hours of operation last spring as part of the communitywide response to the pandemic. The building was closed to public access from March 15 until May 26.
The staff started offering curbside services in May that include sending faxes, making copies, and printing documents from the internet. Curbside is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Patrons can also reserve publicaccess computers, check out library materials, and notary public services are offered, but people must make advance appointments. Ten slots, 30 minutes each, are scheduled Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We have been having an average of six students daily come in to use Wi-Fi for distance learning. There is no time limit for students if they are logged on and working on schoolwork,” said Director Jiron at the Oct. 19 library advisory board meeting.
She acknowledged that additional resources are available to patrons who have internet access such as the online card catalog. (Visit http://www.youseemore.com/whiteside/)
The library announced another way that it serves area residents. The Sharing Closet was unveiled on Oct. 6 to assist anyone who needs a little extra help “to get through the upcoming winter months.” Staff have received a variety of donations including clothing, non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, blankets, jackets, and hats plus gloves and mittens along with other cold weather apparel in a wide range of sizes. The sturdy, wheeled metal cabinets feature multiple shelves. Food items and clothing are displayed in separate cabinets. Director Jiron said that she had also contacted Roberta’s Place to ask if the storefront shop was able to donate to the project.
The increasing number of COVID-19 cases means the library is unable to host its second annual Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot. The six-member staff decided to organize a Halloween Scavenger Hunt for Saturday, Oct. 31, 1-4 p.m., as an alternate event. Participants will gather at 1101 N. First St., Grants, receive clues that provide directions for visiting area businesses, and return to the library to collect their “treats.”
Staff have been “weeding” (discarding) materials that patrons have not checked out since 2015 as they make shelf space for new items which have been added to the collection. Inventory is scheduled for the last part of December, which is the same routine that library staff have used for many years.
“With the new materials that have been added we are expecting it to take a little longer than in the past,” said Director Jiron who began her duties in 2019.
Visit cityofgrants.net/library or call 505-287-4793 for more information.