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Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Nanaimo Harbourfront branch first to offer walkthrough service for customers

Nanaimo, BC – Library lovers in Nanaimo can soon return to the library, albeit in a limited capacity. The Harbourfront branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) is finalizing plans to offer walkthrough services for customers, starting the week of July 20. The plans include robust safety measures to limit the number of people accessing the branch at any one time, adherence to all prescribed physical distancing measures, and access to a limited browsing collection for customers to check out.

“It’s almost four months to the day since we suspended in-branch services in response to COVID-19,” says VIRL’s Director of Library Services and Planning, Melissa Legacy. “Since that time, we have never lost sight of people’s desire to return to the library and access books, DVDs, and other library materials. I am pleased to announce that we are piloting our walkthrough services at the Harbourfront branch — a model we plan to replicate and expand across our service area in the days and weeks ahead.”

Part of VIRL’s phased approach to the resumption of library services, the downtown Nanaimo library will offer:

• A walkthrough area to browse a limited collection
• Self-checkout
• Fee payments
• Increased returns
• Photocopying service

Customers who would like to access the browsing collection must have their library cards with them and use the self-check-out machines in the branch. The branch will continue to offer takeout services by appointment for those who would prefer to use this service. For the time being, the walkthrough hours will be the same as those offered for takeout:

• Sun: Closed
• Mon:10am-12pm & 1-4pm
• Tue: 1-4 & 5-7pm
• Wed:10am-12pm & 1-4pm
• Thu: 10am-12pm & 1-4pm
• Fri: 10am-12pm & 1-4pm
• Sat: 10am-12pm & 1-4pm

For everyone’s safety, customers are asked to adhere to all posted safety information and the directives of staff. During this first phase of walkthrough service, there will be no access to the public washrooms, computers, or seating area.

Looking further ahead, VIRL is also planning to reintroduce inter-branch deliveries of materials to provide customers with access to the entire collection, and an expanded suite of virtual programs and services.

For more information about the services and resources offered at VIRL, visit virl.bc.ca.

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Media Contact
David Carson, Director, Corporate Communications and Strategic Initiatives
Cell: 250.327.3651
Email: dcarson@virl.bc.ca