COCHRANE— Eager to welcome back the community through its doors, The Cochrane Public Library is once again inviting guests to drop by and pick up a good book in person.
When it was announced Monday (March 1) libraries would be able to reopen, the staff of the library immediately began making plans to open its doors to the public.
“We were really excited,” said head librarian Andrea Johnston. “We were just so excited to have patrons back in the library.”
The Cochrane Public Library officially reopened to the public on Thursday (March 4) at 10 a.m., with some new public health restrictions in place.
Under the current public health measures the library will be open Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a limit of 10 patrons inside at a time, for 30-minute sessions. Masks, hand sanitizing and social distancing measures will be required on the premises.
For those who are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons, or concerned about their health, curbside pickup is available.
The library has a number of new programs and services available to support Cochranites as COVID-19 public health measures continue to ease across the province.
The Cochrane Public Library has launched a new Wellness Lending Library, which contains everything Cochranites need to stay healthy and well through the lockdown.
“There are some really cool items in here,” Johnston said. “We have everything to help Cochranites achieve their wellness goals, even when they’re under lockdown.”
The Wellness Lending Library has nutrition curriculum, activity bingo, meditation and yoga guides and some games and activities for kids and adults.
“It’s not just cardio and indoor fitness, it’s really wellness, healthy eating, mind and body. That was the whole thing, it’s for families, adults and children, mind and body,” said Jessi Pepin, community outreach and program librarian.
The Cochrane Public Library also has a Mystery Book Bag sale happening right now.
Books in the mystery bags are sorted into various categories and genres, and are available to anyone in exchange for a donation of any size to the library.
“There’s non-fiction, there’s children’s books, business books, cook books. Anything you want, you just grab a bag. It’s a little bit of a mystery, you don’t know what you’re getting. People have been responded and they really seem to enjoy it,” Pepin said.
For more information on the Cochrane Public Library’s programs and activities, follow the Cochrane Public Library on Facebook.
