Tiny St. Catharines library will allow visitors before and after staff hours

Niagara | St Catharines | Community |

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Published February 15, 2023 at 4:35 pm

Starting in April, the Port Dalhousie branch ( 23 Brock St) of the St. Catharines Public Library system will be open to members during hours when the facility is unstaffed.

The tiny Port Dalhousie Branch of the St. Catharines Public Library is trying a bold new experiment starting in April.

The project is called Port Plus and it will allow library-goers the opportunity to go to the Port Dalhousie branch even when staff haven’t arrived or have already left for the day.

“With comprehensive technology, Port Plus will allow registered customers to use their library card to access the branch even when staff are not on-site,” says the St. Catharines Public Library.

“This change will lead to an increase in branch hours and access to our collections and services.”

However, they add that only registered Port Plus members can access the branch during these designated hours and registration for Port Plus is beginning in March. The library is offering two information sessions on March 8 and 9 to help users learn more and register for this program.

Port Plus members will have access to the collections, public computers, Wi-Fi and space, as well as browse, borrow, and return items in branch collections in the Port Dalhousie branch during hours staff aren’t on site.

Port Plus will be available for St. Catharines Public Library cardholders who:

  • Hold a valid St. Catharines Public Library card.
  • Present valid photo ID (e.g., Ontario ID, Driver’s License, Student ID, etc.).
  • Are age 14 or older. Children under age 14 must always be accompanied by a parent or guardian and the parent or guardian is considered the main user.
  • Complete the Port Plus Terms and Conditions Form.
  • Uphold the Member and Service Agreement.

Anyone who needs help during the unstaffed hours can get it from staff at other branches through remote support via a dedicated video/phone link. As well, additional security cameras are also on-site to monitor the branch.

As you can see below with the total hours and staffed hours list, Wednesdays are now completely unstaffed but card-holders can access the branch all day long. However, like other branches, there is no Sunday opening.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Open 9am – 7:30pm 9am – 7:30pm 9am – 7:30pm 9am – 7:30pm 9am – 4:30pm 9am – 4:30pm CLOSED
Staffed 10am – 3:00pm 10am – 3:00pm Unstaffed 3pm – 7pm 10am – 3:00pm 11am – 4:00pm CLOSED

 

 

 

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