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OPL services during the COVID-19 shutdown

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Apr 01, 2021

With news from the provincial government that Ottawa is moving to COVID-19 shutdown, OPL must scale back services to comply with the latest health measures. Starting Saturday, April 3, all our open locations will be offering contactless returns and holds pick up inside the branches. Browsing will not be allowed and access to public computers will be limited to one workstation per branch in 28 of 31 locations.  Advanced booking is recommended to use public computers, but no appointment is required to pick up holds or return Library items.

Branches are closed Friday, April 2; Sunday, April 4; and Monday, April 5 of the Easter long weekend – but are open Saturday, April 3, for contactless services. Otherwise, hours of operation remain the same. Library items can be returned only when branches are open. Bookmobile and Homebound Services to private homes will continue. The OPL website, our virtual branch, is available 24/7 for varied resources and services online.

We continue to follow direction from the Province of Ontario and guidance from Ottawa Public Health to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and as such, mask-wearing inside the branches, and outside in line, remains mandatory.
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OPL "Cookie-Cutter" Approach

Submitted by Excluded on April 2, 2021 - 12:48am
Sir / Madam, Apparently, it seems that ALL of the OPL Branches are ALL of the SAME size. However, any individuals, like myself, who have been to multiple OPL locations, know that is certainly not the reality. So, the decision by the OPL Management to mandate access to only ONE computer, at each of the 28 of 31 open branches is unreasonable and excessively restricted, especially for those who are part of the “DIGITAL DIVIDE”. (That is those, who lack 24/7 access at home or work to a computing device with a high-speed Internet service or a printer or scanner <or photocopier>.) The following extract is taken from: https://www.ontario.ca/page/enhancing-public-health-and-workplace-safety-measures-provincewide-shutdown (On Friday April 1st, 2021) Libraries Circulating materials must be reserved over the telephone or online for contactless curbside, delivery or pick-up. Patrons must only be permitted to enter the premises to facilitate the contactless drop-off and pick-up or access computers, photocopiers or similar services. Patrons must not: be in the book stacks <or> handle circulating materials that are shelved or in other areas of library storage Circulating materials returned to the library must be disinfected or quarantined before they are recirculated. Other permitted services include: child care services - mental health and addiction support services, to a limit of 10 people social services Prior Inputted Comments: (Saturday) March 20th, 2021 REF: Libraries are ESSENTIAL Services Sir / Madam, In addition to the necessity of the re-opening of the OPL "24 /7 - (Return) Drop-Boxes". There is a significant need for INCREASED access, to the "PUBLIC" computers. Only being able to access a COMPUTER with an Internet connection and a SCANNER, PRINTER, or (COPIER), for a hour or less a day, and that excludes Sundays, when numerous branches are usually open, from September to June, but (still) continue to be closed. Coupled with the (on-going) Sunday closures, the current (overall) branch hours are insufficient, especially, the evening hours, from Monday to Thursday. As well, individuals must be able to book a computer, over a seven-day period, not the current dismal, only three days and individuals need to be able to book for two or more consecutive hours, each day. For those many OPL Management and Employees, who are NOT part of the "DIGITAL DIVIDE. That is to say, they do not lack "24/7 access to "high-speed" Internet, linked to a computing device, along with a connected scanner, printer, or copier", I would suggest that each one should try to function, for at least a week, within the current OPL parameters for accessing a "PUBLIC" computer. I propose that their (or your) overall ability to function (well) at work or home, or both would be severely curtailed. Yet, that is the what the OPL, as well as the City of Ottawa, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada have unilaterally imposed on individuals and families, who are part of the "digital divide", for now over one year. For those individuals and families, who are part of the "digital divide", the "PUBLIC" library, whether in Ottawa or elsewhere in Canada, is an absolute necessity. Cordially yours, - A Concerned Patron -

OPL "Cookie-Cutter" Approach

Submitted by Excluded on April 2, 2021 - 12:44am
Sir / Madam, Apparently, it seems that ALL of the OPL Branches are ALL of the SAME size. However, any individuals, like myself, who have been to multiple OPL locations, know that is certainly not the reality. So, the decision by the OPL Management to mandate access to only ONE computer, at each of the 28 of 31 open branches is unreasonable and excessively restricted, especially for those who are part of the “DIGITAL DIVIDE”. (That is those, who lack 24/7 access at home or work to a computing device with a high-speed Internet service or a printer or scanner <or photocopier>.) The following extract is taken from: https://www.ontario.ca/page/enhancing-public-health-and-workplace-safety-measures-provincewide-shutdown (On Friday April 1st, 2021) Libraries Circulating materials must be reserved over the telephone or online for contactless curbside, delivery or pick-up. Patrons must only be permitted to enter the premises to facilitate the contactless drop-off and pick-up or access computers, photocopiers or similar services. Patrons must not: be in the book stacks <or> handle circulating materials that are shelved or in other areas of library storage Circulating materials returned to the library must be disinfected or quarantined before they are recirculated. Other permitted services include: child care services - mental health and addiction support services, to a limit of 10 people social services Prior Inputted Comments: (Saturday) March 20th, 2021 REF: Libraries are ESSENTIAL Services Sir / Madam, In addition to the necessity of the re-opening of the OPL "24 /7 - (Return) Drop-Boxes". There is a significant need for INCREASED access, to the "PUBLIC" computers. Only being able to access a COMPUTER with an Internet connection and a SCANNER, PRINTER, or (COPIER), for a hour or less a day, and that excludes Sundays, when numerous branches are usually open, from September to June, but (still) continue to be closed. Coupled with the (on-going) Sunday closures, the current (overall) branch hours are insufficient, especially, the evening hours, from Monday to Thursday. As well, individuals must be able to book a computer, over a seven-day period, not the current dismal, only three days and individuals need to be able to book for two or more consecutive hours, each day. For those many OPL Management and Employees, who are NOT part of the "DIGITAL DIVIDE. That is to say, they do not lack "24/7 access to "high-speed" Internet, linked to a computing device, along with a connected scanner, printer, or copier", I would suggest that each one should try to function, for at least a week, within the current OPL parameters for accessing a "PUBLIC" computer. I propose that their (or your) overall ability to function (well) at work or home, or both would be severely curtailed. Yet, that is the what the OPL, as well as the City of Ottawa, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada have unilaterally imposed on individuals and families, who are part of the "digital divide", for now over one year. For those individuals and families, who are part of the "digital divide", the "PUBLIC" library, whether in Ottawa or elsewhere in Canada, is an absolute necessity. Cordially yours, - A Concerned Patron -