Libraries continue to help the community

The Windsor Public Library is continuing to offer physical services as well as e-services during the pandemic.

The world’s dependence on technology gets bigger by the day. However, our technological dependence has not affected libraries as drastically as some may think.

Sharon Tiberia, an Ultrasonographer, frequently visits the Windsor Public Library in Fontainebleau.

“I go maybe once every two weeks,” said Tiberia. “It’s close, I can walk there. It gives me a nice walk. And there’s a walking trail right in front of it, so kill two birds with one stone.”

According to Tiberia, the library offers many services like, QR Code processing, arts and crafts for children, class visits (temporarily paused during the pandemic), computers, internet access, wait listing books on their website and app.

“I’ve only used the computers to look up some books,” Tiberia said. “The other services, no, but my brother has. He’s used a lot of the services especially in London, they have a little bit more. Authors come to talk and there are documentaries you can watch and listen to.”

Library Service Representative at the Fontainebleau branch, Melisa B, said the library is quite popular with young children.

The Fontainebleau library is located near W.J. Langlois Elementary School and William.G Davis Public School. After classes, many children borrow books, movies and CD’s.

The demand for QR Code services has recently increased.

Tiberia said she personally has not used the QR services but knows many people who have.

The library has also adapted their books to online formats. Using an app called Hoopla or Cloud Library. These apps allow you to borrow your favourite books using your device.

“My brother uses the library in London,” said Tiberia. “It’s an amazing one as well out there. He has several books on hold and he goes through them quite fast. He’ll read a book a week. They’re big books, a good 400-page book.”

According to Melisa it is difficult to determine if e-books are more popular than physical books because the people using online services are a different demographic than people who borrow physical books, she said. There is equal usage of e-books and physical ones.

The library’s services continue to remain free and still appeal to many people of many ages.

When asked what will become of libraries in the next ten years, Tiberia and Melisa both believe libraries are needed to help the community and will continue to operate, but must have an emphasis on e-services.