The Swift Current Branch Library is gearing up to potentially reopen to the public in less than two weeks' time.

It's been about five months since the doors were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but if all goes well the library will be open on August 24.

Andrea McCrimmon, the manager of the Swift Current Branch Library, said there's lots of work to be done before opening however.

"We're working through our reopening protocols," she said. "As long as can continue to feel the public and our staff can be safe we will be opening."

One adjustment for the public moving forward is anyone over the age of 2 will be required to wear a mask while inside the library.

"People are encouraged to bring your own masks from home, but we will also have disposable masks available as well," McCrimmon said.

The library won't be hosting any of their in-person group programs, but they're working towards a variety of online events instead.

One way the library continued to keep busy while its door were shut was by running a curbside pickup service to its patrons, something that will be sustained.

"We've absolutely missed seeing our patrons in person," she said. "Although we're seeing quite a lot of our patrons with our curbside pickup service that's been really popular."

The library has also just recently launched another service to help the community during the COVID restrictions, an outdoor computer lab.

"It's a great way for people to use our public computers while minimizing the risk of COVID spread by being socially distanced outdoors," McCrimmon said.

The lab is located on the northwest side of the building and is in a covered area to protect from the weather.

A confirmation on the date of reopening will be confirmed by the library closer to August 24.

David Zammit talks with Andrea McCrimmon about the plans to re-open the library:

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