Glenwood Public Library Has Soft Reopening

After 11 months of providing patrons limited online and curbside services because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Glenwood Public Library reopened Tuesday for “face to face” interaction.

The library is now open for in-person activity Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Library staff will continue to offer curbside services on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Because of capacity restrictions, patrons are asked to call ahead (712-527-5252) to make an appointment if they plan to visit the library in person on a Tuesday or Thursday.

“We are recommending people get appointments because we will have to limit the number of people in the building,” Glenwood Public Library Director Tara Painter said. “With staff, we can only get five or so people in here. At this point, we’re down a children’s librarian. The position is open right now, therefore we’re not going to open the children’s department until we fill that.”

Patrons coming to the library are required to use the back (east) entrance and will be limited to spending 30 minutes in the building. Face masks are required.

Although its doors have been closed to the public since March 17, 2020, Painter and her staff have continued to serve the Glenwood community throughout the pandemic with curbside service for book and DVD borrowing, copying, printing and faxing services. Computers were made available for 30-minute intervals on a limited basis. The library staff has been making the most of social media and online platforms to interact with patrons, including promoting reading, arranging educational webinars, hosting storytime hours and providing a monthly calendar of suggestions for children’s activities.

The library has also been giving away a limited number of craft kits to children on a weekly basis. The craft kits have been very popular, Painter said.

“It really went through the roof when the schools were closed down there for a minute,” she said. “We normally give away about 30, but we jumped up to about 50. One week, we even went above 50.”

Painter is hopeful library patrons will be patient and understanding during the reopening process.

“This is going to be new for us. We’ll see how it goes,” she said. “I do know there have been libraries that have opened and then had to close back down because of a problem that was unexpected when they started letting people back in. We’re hoping we’re ready and that’s not going to happen.”