The Sutton Library is offering concierge book pick-up and delivery services to help local readers stay connected with its services.

Due to the pandemic, the library had to prohibit visitors from entering the building but volunteers wanted to continue to promote reading in the community. To do so they created “Library on the Road,” a book delivery and pick-up service. Residents who are unable to leave their homes can order books from the library over the phone, or via email, to be delivered to their doorstep.

Citizens are also able to order books to be picked-up at the library.

The Sutton Library houses about 12,000 books — approximately 50 per cent are in French and 50 per cent are in English. The volunteers regularly update the collection to keep readers engaged.

“We serve about seven per cent of the population, which is over the percentage of most regional libraries,” said Hélène Laporte, president of Bibliothèque Sutton Library.

As for health and safety regulations, all books are mandated to quarantine for 24 hours before being returned to the shelves.

The library is fully funded through community support. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a large negative impact of this aspect of the library, Laporte said. All fundraisers and community programs have been suspended for an indefinite period of time.

In addition to surviving the pandemic, the library is also having to relocate because their current building is no longer safe. Safety concerns were raised following a windstorm in 2019 that caused severe damage to the structure. Construction to fix the damage is difficult due to the constraints of the buildings historical restoration mandate. The Town of Sutton is currently evaluating this situation.

“We have to evacuate by September 2021 … the situation is particularly difficult because of the unknowns,” said Laporte.

Here is Hélène Laporte speaking with CIDI: