SPL offering services to evacuees even without ID
- EFN Staff | July 10, 2015
Staff at Saskatoon Public Library are stepping up to help fire evacuees in Saskatoon.
“Many evacuees are trying to communicate with family and friends. We have two library locations very close to the two evacuee centers and word is spreading that people can come in, use the computers to check their emails or social media, and reconnect with family and friends,” said Carol Cooley, Director of Libraries & CEO at Saskatoon Public Library.
“Our libraries are busy places at the best of times, but there’s definitely been an increase of traffic at the Rusty Macdonald and Alice Turner branches because of the evacuation efforts. Our staff are stepping up and working with evacuee coordinators to help spread the word about how the library can help.”
“Evacuees without any current identification who want to access library computer services or material will be able make special arrangements with library staff,” she said. “We are part of a one province, one library card system so if people wish to use Saskatoon Public Library, they can. Once they are back home, their records can easily be updated by their home library.“
“In addition to providing access to computers with free internet, the library’s summer programming is in full swing. Parents and grandparents can come in, relax with their children and be entertained. Library staff have offered family storytimes at the evacuation centers and we hope to continue doing so. As well, we’ve offered withdrawn library materials, such as board books, magazines and paperbacks, to the soccer centers so people can get good reading material without needing to borrow it. We have eight library locations in the city and people are welcome to visit any of them,” said Cooley.
“This is what a public library is all about. We’re a community space; we’re here for everyone and our services and resources are free of charge,” she said.
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