KAWARTHA LAKES-To the surprise of bookworms across the province, Libraries remain closed while other municipal services, retail book stores and more have been allowed to reopen.
In Step One of the provinces reopening plan essential retail is allowed to open with capacity at 25%, non-essential retail capacity at 15% and religious services, rites and ceremonies indoors at 15% capacity and outdoors with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres.
Under Step One restrictions, stores that sell books are allowed to be open with 15% capacity. However public libraries not. They are only allowed curbside pickup for materials. In some cases access to computers, photocopiers, and similar services is permitted, but no books allowed.
Six days ago we asked the Ministry of Health why it’s ok to buy a book but not to borrow one from the library.
We have yet to receive a response from the Ministry.
Libraries offer more than just books. They provide storytime, some activities for kids to learn coding, free wifi and they help to foster a love of reading. Libraries are community hubs in many cases. In addition to connecting people with information, libraries connect people to people. They are safe havens for some kids when school is not in class. Some offer after school homework help, games and book clubs.
This, while schools also remain closed but daycares are open for non school-aged children.
Read more here: https://www.kawartha411.ca/2021/06/09/province-wont-explain-why-daycares-are-safe-to-be-open-but-schools-remain-closed/
School-aged children cannot go to school or to the library.
