Editor:
In spite of the coronavirus emergency, restaurants in Burnaby are allowed to offer take-out service (but not sit-down service). The provincial beer and liquor stores remain open.
Then why isn't Burnaby Public Library permitted to have patrons pick up holds from the front counter of a branch and return due books and other materials to the drop-off box (thereby maintaining social distance)? Browsing in the stacks would not be permitted, as library staff only would pick requested materials from the stacks to the hold shelves.
This pandemic could carry on for a year or more. That's a lot of time without access to library materials for entertainment and education.
I am writing to urge the authorities to authorize "take-out" service for libraries (patrons would place holds only, and pick-up material from the self-checkout counter only).
As well Burnaby Public Library could step up the availability of e-books; and add a streaming video service such as Kanopy or Hoopla for homebound patrons.
Derek Wilson, Port Moody
