By ALBERT J. COUNTRYMAN Jr.
Gloucester City News
As Wen Gu begins her eighth year as the Gloucester City Library Director July 28, she is thrilled about how hard her staff has worked to re-open earlier than other libraries, and to offer expanded services this summer.
“Our staff members are like family. As a small town library, we can directly look to each other to make changes immediately. We can adapt to situations such as the pandemic more swiftly,” Wen said.
“We started curbside pickup in mid-June 2020. When the governor said we could open at 25 percent capacity, we were able to do it immediately. We had all the necessary PPE in place already, as I was able to place and order before the pandemic spread,” Wen said.
In the Fall of 2020 the library installed special devices onto the HVAC “that kills 99.5 percent of the virus. It is very safe in here. It freed a lot of worries of the staff. Hopefully, we will get reimbursed from the COVID-19 relief funds,” she said.
The Gloucester City Library on Railroad Avenue is now open for indoor library services, including browsing the collection, computer use, newspaper and magazine reading, printing, faxing, photocopying, scanning, reference, and library card registration and renewal.
Appointments are recommended but not required – simply call the Library upon arrival. The Library continues to offer contactless curbside pickup for members who wish to check out books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, video games, museum passes, and Wifi Hotspots.
Also, the Storytime program for children has been held on Tuesdays and Thursday at 10 a.m. this summer outside in the library backyard. The youngsters also receive craft kits to take home.
Plus, the library service hours have been expanded: Monday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be closed on Saturdays for the Summer, but it will be open on Saturdays starting in September.
Wen said patrons can participate virtual programs such as Makerspace, Crafternoon, and GED classes. The Library’s digital resources include e-books, audiobooks, movies and music via Hoopla and Overdirve, and Brainfuse HelpNow, a new resource providing homework help, writing labs, practice tests, and online tutoring.
Masks are still required in the library, but community support groups have begun to return in-person to the meeting room.
Another new offering is a mobile printing service, whereby patrons can use the library printers and access them from their home computers. Inside the library, there are more charging stations for phones and electronic services.
“I am so proud of our staff. We have been able to adapt to the pandemic, and continue to expand services,” Wen said.
For information, visit www.gloucestercitylibrary.org. To make an appointment call 856-456-4181, email gc@gcpl.us, or send a message via Facebook Messenger.
