On June 10, the City of Lethbridge Library Board approved an endorsement of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council’s Statement on Race & Social Equity, which reads:

“As leaders of North America’s public libraries, we are committed to achieving racial and social equity by contributing to a more just society in which all community members can realize their full potential. Our libraries can help achieve true and sustained equity through an intentional, systemic and transformative library-community partnership. Our library systems are working to achieve equity in the communities we serve by:

• Eliminating racial and social equity barriers in library programs, services, policies and practices
• Creating and maintaining an environment of diversity, inclusion and respect both in our library systems and in all aspects of our community role
• Ensuring that we are reaching and engaging disenfranchised people in the community and helping them express their voice
• Serving as a convener and facilitator of conversations and partnerships to address community challenges
• Being forthright on tough issues that are important to our communities

Libraries are trusted, venerable and enduring institutions, central to their communities and an essential participant in the movement for racial and social equity.”

This statement (originally endorsed by the Urban Libraries Council) outlines the important role that public libraries have to play in advancing racial and social equity. The Board’s motion also requires that Lethbridge Public Library incorporate these principles into our planning and approach to service development, and sign on to the original statement created by the Urban Libraries Council. You can view the existing signatories here: https://www.urbanlibraries.org/initiatives/statement-on-race-and-social-equity.

Lethbridge Public Library’s Mission states that “We are a welcoming, inclusive space that connects and strengthens community through equitable access to learning and leisure.” We are dedicated and committed to providing an atmosphere free from barriers in order to promote equity and diversity. It is the policy of the Lethbridge Public Library to foster an environment that respects people's dignity, ideas and beliefs thereby creating equity and diversity.

“We have been, and continue to be, committed to providing a varied and diverse collection of resources, which reflect the diversity of our community. We also work with a number of community organizations to determine how we can continue to remove barriers and together create a strong and inclusive Lethbridge,” says Wendy Kalkan, Vice Chair, City of Lethbridge Library Board. “We understand that we still have work to do, and that we need to look into our organization and determine areas of change. Our endorsement of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council’s Statement on Race & Social Equity, and signing on to the original statement created by the Urban Libraries Council, is one more step in our commitment to incorporating these principles into our overarching planning and approach to service development.”

Here are some resources to get you started exploring the diversity of voices we have in our collections:

Resources for Children

Reading with Kids About Race (picture books, nonfiction)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76203878/1650788379
A few books to read with younger kids when you want to talk about anti-racism.

Black Bedtime Stories (picture books)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76203878/1650831109
Fantastic stories to read by Black authors and illustrators.

Indigenous Picture Books (picture books) https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76203878_lpl_kids/142512577...
Celebrating Indigenous picture books.

Rainbow Book List (picture books, nonfiction)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76203878_lpl_kids/659655747...
Picture books and early nonfiction with LGTBQ+ characters and content.

Resources for Teens

Change Yourself, Change the World (nonfiction, anti-racist, social justice)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76203868_lpl_teens/16534477...
There is always space in your life to learn, grow, and change. Here are some of anti-racism and social justice resources we have for teens in our collection.

Latinx Voices (fiction) https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76203868_lpl_teens/16340867...
Try some of these Latinx #ownvoices stories.

Black Voices (fiction)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76203868_lpl_teens/13531244...
Fantastic books for teens with Black characters, written by Black authors.

Muslim Characters (fiction)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76203868_lpl_teens/11917674...
Looking for stories with voices of Muslim teens? Try some of these.

Indigenous Reads (fiction, memoirs)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76203868_lpl_teens/35472657...
Here are stories of First Nations / Metis / Inuit teens. Comics, novels, poetry, memoirs - these are powerful stories.

Queer Booklists (master list of lists)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76203868_lpl_teens/53072009...
A full list of booklists of LGBTQA+ resources in Lethbridge Public Library’s collections.

Resources for Adults

Books by Contemporary Black Authors (fiction, memoirs)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76204441/1650620649
Read some of the best fiction and nonfiction by contemporary black authors, including books in every genre from literary fiction to personal memoirs.

Black History Month in Canada (general recommendations)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76204441_lpl_adultservices/...
Books by Black Canadian authors.

Intersectional Feminism (nonfiction)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76204441_lpl_adultservices/...
The different voices of feminism.

Indigenous Reads (adult fiction, memoirs, poetry)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/76204441_lpl_adultservices/...
Some of our top picks by First Nations / Metis / Inuit writers.

Anti-Racism Reads (by Chinook Arch)
https://lethlib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/91806003/1649470600

During the COVID-19 pandemic Lethbridge Public Library’s commitment has been continuity of library services to the community. Our first priority is to keep the risk of exposure to the virus as low as possible for our staff, customers, and community. Our provision of services have been, and will remain, consistent with the direction and guidance of public health authorities, the Government of Alberta, and the City of Lethbridge. As we move forward with re-opening and providing additional services, restrictions on use of Library spaces and changes to the way we provide service may be required to comply with public health guidelines and public library best practices. Our ultimate goal is to continue to meet community needs and provide as much service as we can, provided we are doing so safely; however, an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. Restrictions put in place, and services provided, may change based on the evolving situation, and will be reviewed on a regular basis. During the pandemic and the post-pandemic recovery period we will focus our services and programs on helping our community face new challenges and supporting individuals and communities to recover.
 

Re-opening Your Library One Chapter at a Time:

Each phase (or chapter) will be implemented after a period of evaluation of the prior phase, and will be dependent upon the local situation and the ability of the Library to operate within current public health guidelines.
Hours of operation for Chapter 1 services, will be Monday through Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm.  These hours may be adjusted as needed.  Bookmobile hours are variable – please check the Bookmobile schedule on our website for more details.
 

Chapter 1 – beginning July 2, 2020

Grab and Go Library Materials

• Curbside Pick Up will remain operational at all branches
• Customers can choose to enter the Main or Crossings branches to pick up holds or Surprise Me items. Customers will be encouraged to use self-check machines where possible, with staff assistance available as needed.
• Entrance to the branches for this service will be limited to: Main Branch – Children’s Entrance and Crossings Branch – North Entrance
• Borrowing collections will be limited to Print and A/V material initially. Special collections, such as Toys and Physical Literacy Kits, may also be made available during this stage
• Access to the stacks will not be available
• Access to the building will be limited to 1 adult per family; customers are encouraged to use Curbside Pick Up where possible if attending the Library with children or multiple people

Public Computing and Printing – Adult and Teen

• A limited number of public access computers will be available in 45 minute time slots. On-site booking is required – details will be available on our website
• Technology assistance will be available via remote solutions and/or by appointment
• Printing will be available and managed by staff. The first 5 pages per day per person will be free to reduce the requirement for cash transactions
• Public Wi-Fi is available on library property outside the building; proper physical distancing is required

Exam Invigilation

• Exam invigilation will be available by appointment.

Programming

•  Streaming and online programming will continue

Bookmobile

• The Bookmobile will be available for Curbside Pick Up only

Materials Return

• Library materials may be returned at the Main Branch via the book drop at the Children’s department entrance (south end of parking lot), and at the Crossings Branch via the book drop on the south side of the building

Chapter 2 – date TBD

Programming – Adult, Teen and Seniors

• Limited in branch programming for these age groups will resume, with online programming continuing in a limited capacity. Program registration and limits on attendance numbers may be required
• Children’s streaming and online programming will continue

Library Materials

• Access to browsable collection (i.e. stacks) will be re-opened with time limits on lengths of stay in building
• In-house use of materials will be limited (based on above time limits) and access to specific collections may be limited

Public Computing – Children’s

• Access to children’s computers will resume

Chapter 3 – date TBD

Room Bookings

• Public bookings of meeting rooms, based on recommended gathering sizes and public health guidelines, will resume

Social Spaces

• Use of in branch reading tables, seating areas and other gathering spaces will resume, with restrictions based on current public health guidelines
• Use of additional in house collections (such as magazines and newspapers) will resume

Video Gaming Stations

• Use of video gaming stations at the Crossings Branch will resume, with restrictions based on current public health guidelines

Programming – Children’s

• Limited in-branch programming for children under 12 will resume, with some online programming continuing based on need. Program registration and/or limits on attendance numbers may be required

Bookmobile

• Full Bookmobile services will resume

 
Changes to hours of service, access to specific services and spaces, and procedures may be required on a long term basis. The above constitutes an outline for re-opening, with detailed policies, procedures and specifics to be developed and communicated with the opening of each chapter.
 
LPL and You:
Lethbridge Public Library implemented the “LPL and You” model in 2018 to provide a consistent customer service and decision making model to staff, and is built off of the DisneyU model. This model emphasizes organizational priorities in decision making and providing excellent customer service. This is the model we will continue to use as we move forward with re-opening and decision making related to service offerings:
 
1. SAFETY
Lethbridge Public Library will provide as much service as possible to the community, but only when and how it is safe to do so for both staff and the public. Re-opening of services will be phased and based on risk-informed decision-making guidelines provided by various levels of government and public health authorities. Our standards will meet or exceed public health recommendations. Detailed information on services currently being provided can be found on our website at lethlib.ca or by calling one of the branches.
 
A hierarchy of controls has been used in decision making around when to re-open services. Where it makes sense to eliminate or substitute the service (temporarily) we have done so. Where elimination or substitution of the service is not possible to meet community needs, engineering controls, followed by administrative controls, followed by use of personal protective equipment will be implemented.

Increased or enhanced health and safety measures:
1. Group activities, including programs, room bookings and social gathering, may be restricted or disallowed in library spaces in accordance with public health guidelines.
2. Access to all areas of the building – including washrooms, stacks and meeting spaces -may be restricted in order to comply with public health guidelines and recommended building capacity.
3. Hours of access may be revised to allow access to specific groups at certain times or to accommodate phased re-opening of services.
4. Increased cleaning and disinfecting throughout the building with specific focus on shared equipment and high touch surfaces.
5. Use of personal protective equipment by staff, including gloves, masks and Plexiglas protectors at service desks, where appropriate. Customers may be requested or encouraged to wear masks based on public health guidelines.
6. Updates to Library policies, including the Customer Code of Conduct, to help us enforce physical distancing and other public health guidelines.
7. Limiting the use of cash – customers will be encouraged to use debit/credit whenever possible, however we will do our utmost to ensure this does not create undue barriers to individuals.
8. Quarantining returned library materials for the minimum recommended time (currently 72 hours) before they are put back into circulation.
9. Modifications to Library spaces including:

•  Demarcations and signage for physical distancing
•  Directional arrows through spaces where appropriate
•  Increased space between seating at tables and in reading areas as well as public computers
•  Removal of fabric furniture; replaced where possible with furniture that is easily sanitized
•  Increased space between workstations where appropriate
•  Decreased meeting room capacity, in line with public health guidelines, once meeting room bookings resume
•  Decreased overall capacity of buildings based on public health guidelines

10. Communication with customers in regards to new guidelines, processes and procedures, as well as information on reducing the risk of virus transmission in Library spaces and via Library materials.
11. Increased training and communication with staff in regards to safe work practices and new procedures.

2. COURTESY
Lethbridge Public Library’s mission to be a welcoming and inclusive space that connects and strengthens community is at the forefront of our service approach. One of the key questions we ask ourselves is “How can we help you the customer in these challenging times?”

Some of the ways we will meet this priority at this time:

• Increased fine forgiveness
• Providing the first 5 pages free for printing/photocopying for a limited time
• Extension of loan periods for people who must self-isolate
• Continuation of no fee memberships throughout 2020
• Providing alternative service options
• Clear and consistent communication of physical distancing guidelines, and updated policies and procedures including our Customer Code of Conduct

3. SHOW
Lethbridge Public Library always strives to keep well-maintained services, collections and facilities. This priority is more important than ever to ensure that our customers feel confident about the safety and cleanliness of the Library.

The Library ensures:

• Facilities are regularly cleaned and sanitized and free of clutter – increased cleaning and disinfecting as described above.
• Hand sanitizer available for customer use. Masks will be available for purchase.
• Collections are well maintained – library materials that are outdated, in disrepair or poor condition are removed or replaced from the collection.
• Increased displays and outward facing collections to help people find what they need while reducing contact with materials.
• Equipment is maintained in good working order and alternative options are available as needed.

4. CAPACITY
One of the key goals of the Library’s Board, management and staff is to determine how we can continue providing service in new ways to our community, within the limits and considerations of evolving public health guidelines.
 
Alternative service options being provided include:

• Curbside pick up at the Main, Crossings, and Bookmobile branches.
• Online programming and activities, including: live streams, pre-recorded videos, asynchronous book clubs, digital escape rooms, book voting tournaments, online classes, and more.
• Additional investment in digital resources including more ebooks and audiobooks and the new Creativebug online resource.
• Homebound delivery options – and coinciding volunteer opportunities – for those who cannot make it to a branch.
• Online memberships for new members, and phone renewal options for existing members.
• The Surprise Me grab bag service for those who want reading recommendations from staff, and are not able to browse the shelves.

 
The Lethbridge Public Library is committed to Connecting YOU, to information and ideas, to community resources, and to each other. How we connect in the post-pandemic era may look a little different, but Library Board and staff are committed to continuing to serve the needs of our community and to be the community’s choice for the pursuit of literacy, leisure, learning and innovation.

Curbside Pick Up and Grab & Go Pick Up at Lethbridge Public Library – A How-To

Starting July 2 there will be 2 ways to pick your items up from Lethbridge Public Library: Curbside Pick Up or Grab & Go Pick Up.

Both services will be available:

Main and Crossings Branches: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Saturday.

(TEMPORARILY CLOSED) Bookmobile: 12:45 – 4 p.m., Tuesday (Nicholas Sheran Pool), Wednesday (Lakeview Park), Thursday (Park Meadows Mall).

How to request an item?

• Visit Lethbridge Public Library’s website at www.lethlib.ca or go to the BiblioCommons search page.
• Type your search query into the search bar and hit “enter”.
• Once you have located an item in the catalogue, place the item on hold.
• Enter in your account information. At this time, only 10 requests per card holder can be made.
• Wait for a confirmation email or phone call to come to the Library to pick up your items. Please check your “junk mail” to ensure our email hasn’t been filtered out of your inbox.

You can also place a hold on an item by calling 403-380-7330 (Main Branch) or 403-320-4037 (Crossings Branch).

***Please note: we will respond to all pick-up requests in the order that they are received. An item that appears as being "In" in the catalogue may not be available if another patron earlier in the queue has already requested it. 

If you need a library card, please complete our online Library Membership Registration Form.

If you do not wish to put individual items on hold, we are also offering a “Surprise Me” selection of items, the form for this service can be found on our main page at www.lethlib.ca.

Toys and Physical Literacy Kits will be made available at a later date.

Please note: as the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, we may need to cancel these services without notice.

The Public Services Library Branch has temporarily suspended the interlibrary loan system; therefore, it is not possible to place holds or bring items in from other libraries at this time. Curbside pick up will only be available for items that are currently in the Chinook Arch Regional Library System collection.

Curbside Pick Up Instructions

After you have received your confirmation email or phone call you will be able to come to the Library to pick up your items. You have 10 days to pick up your items once you have been notified.

When you arrive please park in one of the reserved parking spots and stay in your vehicle:

• Main Branch: at the south end of the parking lot, near the Children’s Services entrance and call 403-380-7330
• Crossings Branch: in the north parking lot and call 403-320-4037
• Bookmobile: by the sign near the Bookmobile and call 403-330-4775

Please give staff your last name and library card number. 
Staff will then check out your items on to your card.
Staff will then place your items in a bag and place them on the table/cart you are parked at (outside the rear doors of the Bookmobile).
We ask that you retrieve the items and return to your vehicle.

Grab & Go Pick Up Instructions
After you have received your confirmation email or phone call you will be able to come to the Library to pick up your items. You have 10 days to pick up your items once you have been notified. 

When you arrive please enter the Library through the designated entrance:

• Main Branch: the Children’s Services entrance
• Crossings Branch: the North Entrance

Access will be limited to 1 adult per family.
Hand sanitizer will be available. Please follow physical distancing requirements.
Proceed to “Holds” shelving to locate your hold(s) or Surprise Me items.
Use the self check-out stations or proceed to the customer service desk to check out your items and exit the building. Staff will be available to offer assistance.

Access to browsing will not be available at this time.

Item Returns

***Items that were due back on July 2 will be extended and due back on July 16.***

Materials can be returned to the:

• Main Branch: book return located at the Children’s Services entrance
• Crossings Branch: book return located at the South entrance (Britannia Blvd. W.)
• Bookmobile: drop in the book drop located on the exterior of the Bookmobile

Toys can be returned to the Main and Crossings Branches.

ALL ITEMS WILL BE PLACED IN QUARANTINE FOR 3 DAYS PRIOR TO BEING CHECKED IN. LATE FEES WILL NOT BE CHARGED.

COVID-19 Disclaimer
The COVID-19 virus can survive up to 3 days on Library materials. As books cannot be effectively cleaned and disinfected, it may be wise to store books for a minimum of 24 hours before handling them. Patrons who are immune compromised or otherwise susceptible to COVID-19 infection should not take out items from the library. Patrons should wash hands before and after handling books and other items, avoid touching their faces while reading and avoid sneezing or coughing onto the page while reading. 
 
The Library’s complete re-opening plan is available here. 

Our services may be limited, but our programs are still running!
You can check out these live streaming programs and visit our YouTube and Facebook pages for even more good stuff from your Lethbridge Public Library.
www.youtube.com/lethlib/
www.facebook.com/LethlibKids/