Take the Kids: Wake County regional libraries are open, aim to make visits quick, easy

Some people miss restaurants or movie theaters. My younger daughter breathed a big sigh of relief when Wake County Public Libraries reopened last month. The system began a phased reopening of regional libraries before Thanksgiving. Today, eight regional libraries are now open for browsing and borrowing.

My daughter and I have been several times already, and the visits are a little different these days. We're wearing face masks, of course. That's required for everyone five and older. Social distancing is a must. And the libraries are limiting the number of people who can be inside each library at any given time.

But there are other differences too.

Before entry, you'll get your temperature taken. At Cameron Village Regional Library, you step up to a temperature scanning tablet that very quickly gives you a result.

Once inside, we're greeted by a friendly librarian, who is there to answer any questions. A giant screen also lets us know how many people are inside the library. Just 100 people are allowed inside the Cameron Village location, and there's never been more than 20 people when we've visited. We're usually there in the middle of the day on weekdays.

We always head directly into the children's section. Visitors are asked to make their visits quick, so I've limited my daughter to about 10 minutes per visit. Our library visits in the past used to run 30 minutes or more, and I'd settle into a chair to read a book or the news while she browsed the shelves. But the chairs and tables, along with access to meeting rooms, quiet study rooms, newspapers and magazines, are gone too.

The books, of course, are all still there. And the shelves are no different than they were before. But we have noticed more book displays, which make it easy to quickly find some good books to check out.

The library system, which normally would be busy with in-person storytimes, craft programs and other family gatherings, also is offering a series of On the Go programs. There's an interactive board game to help get kids ready for kindergarten. There are book bundles, essentially grab bags with different books for kids.

You'll also find pre-made Storytimes on the Go with books, songs and rhymes planned by librarians. At Cameron Village Library, there were a variety of themes to choose from, including colors, transportation and pets.

The libraries also have Adventures to Go with take-and-make craft activity sheets and book recommendations for school-aged kids.

Once you're ready to check out, the librarians are sitting behind large Plexiglass barriers to keep them safe and healthy. But they're still there to help you find books and make some recommendations.

Nothing is the same these days — including a visit to the library. It's no longer teeming with young kids and parents as they leave a storytime. (Storytimes are available online.) During our visits, there's never been more than one other family in the children's section. There's no lingering. But it is one step back toward the before times. And that's something to be happy about.

Head to Wake County Public Libraries' website for more information about what libraries are open, how to visit and its Books on the Go service, which is a no-contact pickup program.