Though the library is not completely closing the book on pandemic protocols, the numbers are up and “the kids are coming in,” with 153 registered for the summer reading program, said Margaret Villarma, director at the Irene Ingle Public Library.
That’s just a small drop from the roughly 170 summer readers of 2019, pre-pandemic.
“It feels like we’re pretty much back,” she said.
The summer reading program will end July 31, with an in-person pool party planned for Aug. 7. “We’ve always had this pool pizza party,” Villarma said. Always, that is, except for last year.
The library has not dropped all of its pandemic safety protocols. The library may split the pool party into two gatherings, to allow more space. And though staff asks children under 12 — who are too young to receive a COVID-19 vaccination — to wear a mask, they do not refuse to admit those who decline, Villarma said.
“We wear them here … to show our support” for the kids who wear masks, she said.
A lot of adults still wear masks to the library.
The building is open noon to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The library still has a one-hour time limit on patrons, to ensure the building does not get too crowded.
The library continues to make its seven computers available to the public — four desktop units and three laptops, with a printer people can use.
For those who just need an internet connection, the library’s Wi-Fi is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the parking lot and even as far as the covered area in front of the building. “You drive by at 10 p.m. and you can see people” in the lot, using the signal, Villarma said.
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