Lynne Russell always suspected people in Port Moody love to read.
Now, the head of the city’s public library has an idea just how much.
In the 21-day period leading up to Nov. 10, when PMPL closed for an extensive renovation project that will take almost two months, library patrons borrowed 62,886 items of the total collection of just over 100,000 items — almost double the number of loans during the same period last year, Russell said, adding, “We’re pleased the community really likes reading.”
Borrowers will be able to keep most of those items until Jan. 4, two days after the library is scheduled to reopen after much of the 13,000-sq. ft. facility is reconfigured and updated to accommodate more digital work stations and a new digital creation station as well as new wiring, carpeting and paint, plus more shelving in the children’s area.
To lessen the number of books staff had to pack away for the renovation, the lending limit was also increased from 50 to 100 items from Oct. 20 until the library’s closure. Russell said she’s sure some borrowers took full advantage.
“People seemed very pleased they could take out this number of books” she said, noting the busiest day was Oct. 21, when 5,174 items were checked out from the library. “I know people did stock up.”
Russell said children’s picture books and early readers were especially popular, as were DVDs of movies and TV series.
Not that borrowers are completely cut off while the library is closed.
Russell said items can still be reserved online for pick-up at the Port Moody recreation complex and they can be dropped off at a 24-hour drop box in front of the library.
“We’re emptying our book drop several times a day,” Russell said. “I think what people are doing is they really wanted enough books to last them, and they’re returning them as they finish.”
