Aaron Cutler Memorial Library

"When will the library reopen?" is currently the most popular question we are asked.  The answer to this question follows:

For reasons of staff and public safety, the Litchfield Emergency Management Team and the Library Board of Trustees recommend the library remain closed to the public due to the limitations of the library building itself and its current configuration during the pandemic.  

 

We have two main safety problems:

1) Maintaining social distancing, as the open space we normally have is now taken up by staff, additional equipment, and furniture, and 

2)  The ventilation system in this historic building is not up to pandemic standards. 

Space changes inside the building are dramatic.  Upstairs, the Adult Services Librarian has been relocated to half of the open space in front of the fireplace in the North Room.  The other half of that once open space holds four dollies with book bins, one for each day we are open, for quarantining materials.  Additional upstairs open space is taken up by the furniture that had to be moved to accommodate these changes, and supplies for Porch Pickup.  Downstairs, the storytime/activity area has been converted to a workstation for our Library Pages, and for the checking-in of materials as they come out of quarantine.  The tables in the children’s room are used to quarantine freight shipments as well as mail.  Finally, the entry way from the parking lot houses a a staff PPE station, as well as a freight dolly to roll out to receive contactless deliveries.

I know many of you will be disappointed to hear this.  We wish it didn't have to be this way, but we hope you choose to see the glass half-full, as we do offer a lot of great services that don't require you to enter the building!  

First and foremost is Porch Pickup Service. When you come for your pick up, please feel free to knock on the window and wave.  Librarians have been known to go out to the parking lot to chat with patrons as well. 

We have placed several options in our online catalog to make finding items to put on hold easier and we urge you to try them all.  These include:  

• Links to lists of new materials are in the upper left sidebar in the online catalog.

• Instructions on how to browse the book covers of items on the actual shelves in two ways:
• Basic: 1) Search for a title, author, or subject, 2) Select an item, 3) Click on “browse shelf” beneath its call number to reveal a row of book covers that can be scrolled through as if you were looking at the shelf.  
• Advanced: 1) Use “Advanced Search” to refine your browsing experience using the “Collection” or “Location,” and “Item Type,” options, 2) Follow steps 2 & 3 above.

• A form to request Librarian recommendations, much as you would in-house. These requests can also be made by email, or telephone.

•  A form to request Book Bundles based on topics, authors, etc.  These requests can also be made by email, or telephone.

Second, in addition to in-house materials, we continue to offer great online resources:

• Hoopla to download and stream movies, TV shows, music, ebooks, comics, and audiobooks

• Overdrive to download ebook, audiobooks, and magazines

• Mango Languages to learn one of more than 70 languages

• Lynda to learn new skills

• EbscoHost to read magazines, journals, encyclopedia articles, and other information sources
  

We know most of this involves technology and understand not everyone is tech savvy, but our librarians are only too happy to meet with you on the library lawn to go over the how-to's.  We can also offer assistance through Zoom which is easier to use than you might think.

Finally, statewide Inter-Library Loan is scheduled to resume sometime in September, so watch for updates on this.

Contact us with your questions or concerns.  We always want to hear from you.

Remember to READ 4 THe FuN oF iT @ Aaron Cutler Memorial Library!