The library is using physical checkout sheets, which require library card numbers of those hoping to borrow an item
About 20,000 people who visit the 22 CPL locations across the city daily were greeted by modified services that don’t require technology on Wednesday.
Another 20,000 CPL users visit online daily, said Mary Kapusta, communications and engagement director at the library.
“Almost immediately, our staff are like, OK, so how much service can we provide?” said Kapusta.
She acknowledged that “incredibly popular” electronic resources such as the digital library and other e-resources remain unavailable, though some are slowly coming back.
“Libby, OverDrive, Kanopy, you’re starting to see some of those other services start to be layered back in,” she said.
Some services such as printing and Wi-Fi are off-line. Program registration dates have also been postponed.
“Anything that requires that technology or digital access in a location, we’re not able to provide those right now,” Kapusta said.
All locations were open during regular hours Wednesday but are not accepting returns, with due dates for borrowed materials extended until further notice.
Going ‘old fashioned’ at the library
A bit of a blast from the past, users can anticipate manual checkout forms at every branch.
“Hopefully we don’t have to do it for too long, but we are prepared to provide service even with a pen and some paper,” said Kapusta.
Kapusta didn’t give a firm date for when service is expected to be back to “business as usual,” but is optimistic as more services come online.
Locations will also provide collection browsing and pickups for existing holds.
Library staff were at the door of the Giuffre Family Library on Wednesday morning letting users know what services were available.
Simon Schmid checked out a couple of items the “old fashioned” way.
Schmid says that despite usually being online two or three times per day to put items on hold, the outage hasn’t really affected him.
He said he has also been visiting the location in Marda Loop since the 1980s.
“I live in Killarney now, but I still come here just because I know so many people, and they know me,“ said Schmid.
While meeting rooms and study spaces can’t be booked in advance, they will have drop-in availability, Kapusta said.
“We will also have drop-in programs running; so, for instance, our family story time programs, reading buddies,” she said.
‘The library is absolutely wonderful’
Staff were seen filling out physical checkout sheets, which required library card numbers and bar code numbers of borrowed items.
Books also continued to be put back on shelves, although return bins at every CPL location remain closed.
Norma Thurston had the unfortunate experience of not bringing her library card, and so couldn’t sign out the book she had on hold.
“I didn’t bring my card this morning, which was my bad, and they can’t do anything about it because they haven’t got the technology,” said Thurston.
Fortunately, she lives within walking distance of the branch and didn’t mind the extra trip.
“They’re doing a marvellous job, I think the library is absolutely wonderful,” she said.
Library users are encouraged to reset any passwords that may be the same or similar to their CPL accounts, out of an “abundance of caution.”
— With files from Matt Scace and Scott Strasser