PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia libraries are on the long list of institutions slowly but surely creeping back to normalcy. Each branch is at a different stage of reopening. The branch manager at Whitman Library in South Philly explains what to expect in the near future.
Rachel Solomon says she is just happy to see people in her library again.
On a recent weekday summer afternoon, a mother and her young son were looking at books in the branch's kids section. Across the room, several adults had books in their hands while browsing shelves for more.
"I'm glad we're seeing an approach back to normal," said the Whitman branch manager.
The city's coronavirus restrictions forced the Free Library of Philadelphia to close branches in March 2020 and again in November. The library system began expanding in-person services at some branches across Philadelphia in January.
"We do have limited, public in-building hours at this branch, so people can come in, check out their holds, browse, sit at a table, use the computer, print, copy, everything they did before when they came to the library," Solomon said.
Information and updates on the status of library services at various branches are available online.
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At times during the coronavirus pandemic, Whitman was appointment-only. At other times, it wasn’t open at all.
"It was quite an adjustment," Solomon said. "A lot of my job is seeing people, talking to them — and we just couldn’t do that for a very long time, but I’m glad we can do that now."
Not all services are restored at Whitman and other branches. Solomon says their meeting room still cannot be used to host community events, as it often was before the pandemic.
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All Philadelphia libraries are in different phases of reopening.
A spokesperson for the Free Library said the goal is to resume in-person services, five days a week, at neighborhood and regional branches throughout the city by fall.
For that to happen, the system must hire about 60 full-time staff, according to the spokesperson, who added "there are some variables that can speed up or delay the process."