EASTHAMPTON — After more than a year closed to the public, the Emily Williston Memorial Library will likely reopen this month with a revamped ventilation system.
Like other libraries, the Emily Williston Library closed to the public when the state declared a COVID-19 state of emergency in March 2020. But as other libraries have opened their doors in recent months, the Easthampton library on Park Street has remained closed due to ongoing construction work in the building, where crews are installing a new ventilation system.
“We need better air quality and filtration before we can let people inside,” said library director Nora Blake, “but (crews) also have their stuff all over the place, so there’s a lot of equipment and pieces on the floor all around.”
The installation is currently taking longer than anticipated due to the need for an additional contractor, but Blake remains hopeful that the work will be completed in July. A goal reopening date will later be announced.
The library currently offers services such as curbside pickup, library card signups and renewal, and printing on an all outdoors basis, or most every service except public computer service and browsing, according to Blake. The library briefly offered outdoor browsing, but the service did not receive adequate interest and relied heavily on favorable weather.
Blake estimates that the library is hosting around two-thirds to three-fourths of its regular, pre-pandemic patronage levels.
Though Easthampton and the state have both lifted mask requirements, the library will require patrons to wear masks inside upon its reopening, with Blake noting that the library serves “vulnerable populations.” This rule is particularly relevant for the children’s section, Blake said, as children younger than 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination.
The library also will offer hand sanitizer and retain plexiglass barriers.
Jacquelyn Voghel can be reached at jvoghel@gazettenet.com.