Visitors return by appointment to Dartmouth libraries
Mar 9, 2021
North Dartmouth Branch Librarian Sharani Robins showing a table of children’s books. Photos by: Kate Robinson
Library staff at the well-protected circulation desk in the Southworth Library.
Director of Libraries Lynne Antunes in her office at the main branch.
Library staffer Sheri Torres greets patrons at the Southworth Library’s parking lot entrance.
Ronald Demers cycled to the library to browse and ended up with two books.
At Southworth Library, computers are stationed well apart with furniture and caution tape.
For the first time in nearly a year, the Dartmouth Public Libraries reopened their doors to welcome patrons back inside by appointment only on March 8.
Nearly 50 people came out to both branches to browse the collections on the first day back, according to Director of Libraries Lynne Antunes.
Visitors came in to a space transformed with plexiglass and plastic protectors, caution tape roping off seating, and other safety measures in place.
Patrons are able to browse the collection and use the computers, although the Children’s Room is closed to visitors at both branches.
On March 8, Southworth Library, the main branch on Dartmouth St., saw 35 people looking through its shelves, while 14 patrons came into the North Dartmouth branch on Cross Road.
By the next day the rush had calmed at the main branch, with just a handful of visitors in the afternoon — much fewer than the 25 allowed in during each 45-minute appointment.
“It went very well,” Antunes said of the reopening. “We all were concerned that we were going to be bombarded with calls, but it’s been quite manageable.”
“People are very happy to come in, and then there are other people that are very happy that we are continuing with the curbside option,” she noted. “It’ll probably take a little bit of time for this to catch on.”
“I know people miss the browsing,” added Antunes. “I’m a browser too!”
At the North Dartmouth library, Branch Librarian Sharani Robins said that everyone is happy to see the libraries reopen.
“We’re definitely happy to be able to expand the services,” said Robins. “And we’ve missed people.”
“We still did as many curbside pickups as we usually do,” she added. “So it’s a little bit of a juggling act to accommodate both, but it totally worked.”
Outside the main branch, Dartmouth resident Ronald Demers said his experience was “awesome.”
“They’re very nice people there,” he said, adding that he felt safe during his book browsing. “The library does a lot of work. It's great to have a library.”
“I wasn’t expecting to take out a book today,” he added. “Now I’ve got two!”
