Phase III of the reopening of Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library is about to commence on Monday, according to assistant library director Margaret Petty.

Since last spring, when COVID-19 first hit Bedford County, library patrons have been unable to browse book shelves. After the pandemic began to settle a bit, patrons were finally able to pick up library books (ordered by phone or online) curbside.

This summer, patrons were finally able to re-enter the library, but certain areas and browsing were still off-limits. Petty discussed “Hot Spots” which were available for a charge for 7 days on a first-come, first serve, basis. See sbcplibrary.org for more details.

While Phase III is about to start, there are some changes, such as social distancing and time limits for certain areas of the library, which staff want the public to know will be enforced.

“It’s a bit different, but we’re so glad to be back open,” said Petty, noting library hours have changed.

The library will open each day at 8 a.m. The library will close on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. and at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

“By making these changes, we are adding three hours to our weekly schedule,” said Petty.

During Phase III, staff will be required to wear masks when interacting with patrons and social distancing will apply. Patrons will be strongly encouraged to wear masks.

“Use of hand sanitizers will be required before handling library materials,” said Petty, noting containers will be available at entrances and exits of the library.

Book stacks and public browsing areas will be open to the public with a capacity of 15 people with a limit of one hour. Patrons may reserve study rooms, by appointment only, for one hour at a time. There will be one hour of sitting time before an additional appointment is made.

“We’re still having fine-free to the end of the year,” said Petty, noting this is an effort to help the community during the pandemic.

While check-outs remain fine free through December, Petty said anyone with lost material will still need to pay the library those costs.

The library officials said the coronavirus has certainly put a damper on life at the library. Still, the library did receive some CARES grant money which will be used to purchase Chromebooks, according to Petty.

With all the support the local library receives, Petty said she sees the South Jefferson Street site growing in a different way in the future. While some people might think library buildings are becoming extinct, Petty and Lewis, both who’ve devoted most of their lives to the library, said because administration and the board have continued to update technology, the future still looks bright for those who love to browse the shelves.

As someone who has loved books since childhood, she’s looking forward to seeing patrons once again browse shelves for such shelved classics as “Hamlet” and “A Christmas Carol.”

In addition to continuously upgrading technology, Petty gives a lot of credit for financial assistance, another important factor to continued success, to Friends of the Library, which holds an annual fundraising luncheon every year. While everyone looks forward to the guest speaker and annual luncheon, she said social distancing hundreds of attendees just wasn’t feasible this summer.

Though that event was canceled this year, the two note fundraising has continued as usual. Plans are currently being made for next year’s lunch/fundraiser.

Retired educator, Monica Lewis, is chairperson of The Friends of Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library, which met recently; they happily discovered that their fundraiser has been so successful in 2020, the group was going to be able to make their annual donation of $7,500 to the library.

“Those funds will help with finishing up the shelving for the juvenile section,” said Lewis.

“This retired English Language Arts (ELA) teacher has strong feelings about reading aloud with tangible books to students. There’s nothing old school about that process of learning, she said.

“There’s nothing which compares to reading aloud to a child,” she said. “They love to see the books . . . hold them in their hand.”