Last year saw many changes for the Moose Jaw Public Library as it adapted to the ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions. 

That was the theme as Moose Jaw Public Library Board chairperson Sarah Simison presented the library’s annual report to city council this past week. The library board consists of eight members, including two members of city council. 

Early in the year, the library was under heavy restrictions, but still offered curbside pick-up and limited browsing. All programming at that time was online only. 

By spring, the library was preparing to reopen and the facility was fully re-opened by June 1. They removed the greeter/screener position on June 20 so there were no longer restrictions on the number of people in the library at one time. 

Summertime saw the return of in-person adult and children programming with masking and social distancing. 

The annual summer reading club saw 734 children registered. Overall, the library offered educational programming for 5,570 kids in 2021. 

The library also offered take and make kits to Moose Jaw Family Services. About 80 kits monthly were sent out to kids who might not otherwise be able to go to the library. The take and make program also remained popular for families dropping in. 

When the public computer stations opened, the library saw a jump of 100 users in July alone. Staff also helped patrons with setting up their eHealth accounts when vaccine passports were needed. 

Ebooks and audiobooks also remained popular with an increase of 14 per cent from 2020 and 43 per cent from 2019. 

New this year, the library is no longer fining patrons for late books. The library also removed Sunday closures during the summer months and long weekend. 

You can watch an excerpt of Simison’s presentation to city council below: