Peterborough Public Library Closed Due to Water Main Closure
/The Peterborough Public Library announced on Monday that due to the water main to the building being shut off, the building will be closed until Wednesday.
File Photo.
Peterborough Blogs
Clean Slate For Peterborough Public Library Users With Eliminated Fines
/All outstanding late fees from the Peterborough Public Library are no more as they have been eliminated according to a press release on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Public Library.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the library stopped charging late fees and forgave outstanding fines on people’s accounts.
“We were happy to discover that library items continued to be returned regularly,” says Jennifer Jones, Library CEO. “There were no noticeable changes in people’s returning habits with or without the late fines.”
Late fines have been shown to create feelings of shame and embarrassment, keeping people from returning to the library according to the press release.
The Library also noted that outstanding fees can also create financial barriers that prevent people from ever using the library in the first place. By eliminating late fines, the library can better support literacy efforts in the community and reduce barriers to accessing library materials and services.
“If you’ve been avoiding the library because you think you might have fines, we want to welcome you back to the library with a clean borrowing record and a fresh start,” said Jones. “Technology isn’t perfect so if you notice fines on your account after September 21, please reach out to library staff. We may have missed something or you may have fees for lost items on your account.”
The move to a fine-free library service will allow 11,927 members to have late fines removed from their accounts. In addition, 1,694 members will have their library accounts unblocked.
Items will still have due dates and need to be returned. An item is considered lost when it has not been returned for more than 44 days past the due date. At that point, the member’s account is charged a replacement and processing fee for the item.
Any member with more than $10 in fees will be blocked from using their account. Visit ptbolibrary.ca/borrowing for full details on how the Library handles lost and damaged items.
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Peterborough Public Library Reopening Its Doors August 25th
/The Peterborough Public Library has announced it will be gradually reopening for regular in-person service on Tuesday, August 25th.
Community members will be able to visit the library, browse the entire collection, pick up holds, and check out items. High-touch and shared touch areas—including children’s play areas and gathering places like study desks and meeting rooms—will remain closed at this time.
Curbside Pickup will end on Saturday, August 22nd and the library will be reopening with new, temporary operating hours on the following Tuesday.
THE TEMPORARY HOURS WILL BE:
Sunday and Monday – closed
Tuesday – 10 am to 8 pm
Wednesday – 10 am to 5 pm
Thursday – 10 am to 8 pm
Friday – 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday – 10 am to 5 pm
File Photo courtesy Peterborough Public Library
The DelaFosse Branch (729 Park St. South) will remain closed at this time, and visitors will only be able to enter and exit the library through the main entrance on Aylmer St.
SAFETY MEASURES AT LIBRARY
-> Only 50 people will be permitted inside the facility at any time in accordance with the capacity limits in the Stage 3 guidelines as set out by the Province.
-> Visitors will also be asked to self-screen before entering the library and to wear face coverings, if possible. The library respects that not everyone is able to wear a face covering but they are an additional measure that can help us protect each other.
-> Numerous health and safety measures have been put in place at the library, including providing staff with personal protective equipment, increased cleaning protocols, additional hand sanitizing stations, and physical distancing protocols with plexiglass barriers installed where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
-> Library material will continue to be placed in a 3-day quarantine before being reshelved, as it has been since Curbside Pickup started on June 3rd.
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Peterborough Public Library Rolls Out Curbside Pickup Starting June 3rd
/The Peterborough Public Library has announced that starting June 3rd, library material will be available for curbside pick up at the Main Library on Aylmer Street.
The library remains closed to the public, but members will be able to begin placing holds on library material as early as Thursday, May 28th. To place a hold by phone, call the library at 705-745-5382 ext. 2340 or you can place holds online through their catalogue, using My Account.
Members will receive a notification from the library when their items are ready to be picked up. The library will not be able to accommodate walk up requests. Items must be placed on hold prior to visiting the library.
Photo courtesy Peterborough Public Library
Curbside Pickup times are as follows:
Wednesdays, 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 4 pm
Thursdays, 1 pm to 3 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm
Saturdays, 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 4 pm
-> During Curbside Pickup, staff will be practicing physical distancing measures, frequent handwashing as well as using personal protective equipment when it is appropriate to do so.
HOW TO RETURN MATERIAL
Material can be returned at any time to the exterior return slot on the north side of the library building (off Simcoe Street and the Library Commons parking lot). All returned materials will be isolated for the recommended 72 hours before being returned to the library inventory for circulation.
The library continues to offer digital resources through the Browse tab of the website ptbolibrary.ca where cardholders can access eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, streaming video, and eLearning opportunities.
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New Downtown Public Space Library Commons Opens
/Library Commons, the new downtown public space located at the southwest corner of Simcoe and Aylmer streets outside Peterborough Public Library, was officially opened on Thursday (September 5th).
The public gathering space, named “Library Commons” through a community vote that took place, features benches, plantings and a public art sculpture.
Entitled “Your Story,” the public art sculpture by artist/architect Patrick Li (pictured below) is the latest project from the City of Peterborough Public Art Program. Li designed the sculpture to evoke a book cover twisting in the wind and create a sense of movement that makes the sculpture feel alive.
Photo courtesy City of Peterborough
“Library Commons provides a welcoming space for the community to enjoy,” says Jennifer Jones, CEO of the Peterborough Public Library. “It’s a great place sit and visit with a friend or relax with a book. Library staff are excited to use the space to offer events and programming.”
Photo courtesy City of Peterborough
“Library Commons has transformed the corner of Simcoe and Aylmer streets,” says Scott Elliott, the City’s Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator.
“This project is an excellent example of the positive impact sponsorship has in a community. LLF Lawyer’s sponsorship of Library Commons and the development of the public art helps to make this space so special.”
Photo courtesy City of Peterborough
Temporary Overflow Shelter Beds Added At Peterborough Public Library As Homeless Crisis Grows
/With the Tent City at Victoria Park (see pictures) growing in numbers—and this area in the midst of a heat wave and possibility of severe thunderstorms—the community is acting.
Youth Emergency Shelter, Brock Mission, Fourcast, United Way of Peterborough and District, and the City of Peterborough are partnering to temporarily open 15 overflow beds at Peterborough Public Library, plus another 15 overflow beds at the Youth Emergency Shelter.
Photo of Tent City by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada
COORDINATED APPROACH TO OVERFLOW BEDS
Peterborough Social Services is coordinating intake at the Peterborough Public Library when the overflow bed space opens at 9 p.m. each night. People will be directed to available space at a shelter—Brock Mission, Cameron House, or Youth Emergency Shelter—or to one of the overflow shelter beds at the Library or Youth Emergency Shelter.
People who use the overflow beds will be asked to be out of the space by 8 a.m. each morning.
The coordinated approach to providing overflow beds will also connect people with support services and housing programs. Housing first is the goal rather than having people live in shelters.
In the meantime, the City is working with community partners to secure a longer-term location for the provision of overflow beds.
Photo of Tent City by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada
Youth Emergency Shelter has been able to make the space for 15 overflow beds available for individuals of all ages, even though it normally only provides beds for youth and families. The shelter and housing providers have been able to move families into housing and other accommodations, which has opened up space for overflow beds as a temporary service.
Homeless people who are camping at the Tent City and elsewhere should go to the Library at 9 p.m. to speak with staff who will connect them with a shelter or overflow bed. The City is asking people not to camp in public spaces that are not meant for that type of use.
Photo of Tent City by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada
The overflow bed service was temporarily shut down on Canada Day when the service provider Warming Room’s lease expired for the former location on Murray Street. On the last night that the service was at the Warming Room, there were 29 people using overflow beds.
Warming Executive Director Christian Harvey told CBC Ontario Morning on Thursday (July 18th) that the Warming Room is still trying to secure a new location after getting a few leads for possible spots.
The City of Peterborough says that shelter bed availability can change each day. Last week, there were as many as about 25 beds available in the shelter system. On July 17th, there were six beds available at Cameron House for women, three beds available at Youth Emergency Shelter for youth, and no beds available at the Brock Mission for men.
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The Peterborough Library's New Bold, Modern Look
/UPDATE (May 2nd): The Library has put up this sign to notify people of the move...
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ORIGINAL POST
The Peterborough Public Library is beginning a multiple stage process to transition to a radical new redesign of their building.
On April 30th, the main branch will close for renovations. During a two to three week transition, the entire collection of books will be moved to a temporary location in the lower level of Peterborough Square, which will open May 19th. Renovations will begin on the 30-year-old library branch to make it more modern, offer more user friendly spaces, and quiet areas to work.
The library has started up a special website to show you the transition called PPL Moves and it will include photos, news and more info as work gets underway.
Hours will remain the same at the temporary location at Peterborough Square, but there will be no after-hours book drop-off. Bring your parking voucher however to get it stamped for a free hour of parking in the underground garage of the Square.
Here are blueprints of what the inside of the renovated branch will look like...
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Upcoming 30 Craft Market Looking for Artisans
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On September 13th, the 30 Craft Market will be taking place at the Peterborough Public Library. They are still looking for artisans and crafters that would like to be included in the event. A booth is only $10! Check the website for more details and contact information or you can call them at 705.760.3933.
[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]
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Open House: Peterborough Public Library Feasibility Study
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The Peterborough Public Library is hosting an open house on Monday, April 22nd. Drop in to the auditorium at the main branch at 7 p.m. to share your ideas about the library.
Lundholm Associate Architects has been conducting a feasibility study for the Library. Through a series of public meetings, roundtable focus groups and surveys they have gathered advice and recommendations from the community about the Library’s facilities, programs and services. From the information gathered, they have prepared a preliminary proposal for the community to review. Public comment from this open house will be considered for the final proposal and will help to ensure that Peterborough’s future library reflects the interests and aspirations of the community.
[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]
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Peterborough Public Library Celebrates 100 Years With Writing Contest "Telling Our Stories"
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Peterborough Public Library, in celebration of their 100th Anniversary, is hosting a writing contest titled "Telling Our Stories." The deadline for submissions is September 23rd. The focus of the entry must be based upon how the library has influenced, affected, or inspired you in some way. For those that may need help with their writers' block, there will be a workshop held on Monday, September 12th from 10 a.m. to noon.
[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]
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