Be Patient: We’ll be Back Soon with Express Service!
Is there anything more frustrating than waiting in a line when you’re pressed for time? Perhaps there is, but if you forgot what it might feel like let me remind you. Out with a few friends over the weekend, I had a build up of self-directed thoughts as we awaited the hostess to seat us for our dinner reservation. Here they are:
Keep talking – fool your mind into thinking that you’re not waiting;
Ignore the cold – it’s all about mind over matter;
Stay focused – quit looking around at all the steamy dishes being served;
Play it off – irritability is a natural emotion;
Keep quiet – complaining will ruin it for everyone;
Stop fidgeting – you’re starting to look crazy!
It sounds impatient, doesn't it? Let’s face it; our time is as valuable as our money and nobody likes losing it. The Barbara Frum Library is taking measures to save you some time. In a few weeks, a quick, easy and private self checkout option will be available for everyone. In a previous article, I mentioned the RFID installation at Centennial Library, a similar setup will allow you to engage with the technology, so you can be out at your own pace. I've worked at branches with an operational self-checkout system in place and it really is that quick and easy.
Important Information to Follow
If you’ve dropped by the Barbara Frum Library lately, you likely noticed signs indicating our branch renovation closure beginning Monday October 31, 2011. Here are a couple of important items that should help guide your actions during our closure:
- Our last day of service will be Sunday October 30, 2011 from 1:30-5 pm. We are officially closed Monday October 31, 2011 and will reopen in mid November 2011.
- Book return services will be available from Monday October 31, 2011 to Friday November 4, 2011 at 5 p.m. and will restart Monday November 7, at 9 a.m. Note there will be no book return Friday evening to Monday morning
- Barbara Frum Recreation Centre (lower level) will continue its operation during renovation but will close Friday November 4, 2011 at 5 p.m. and will reopen Monday November 7.
- Holds bound to Barbara Frum will automatically be rerouted to the Locke Library (Yonge & Lawrence). Please be aware that you have ability to manage your holds online. If you prefer another pickup location, or you would like to suspend your hold for the period in which the library is closed, please do so beforehand (the sooner, the better). For instructions on managing your holds please read these frequently asked questions
- To avoid disappointment, explore nearby libraries for full library services.
Forest Hill Library
700 Eglinton Ave West
416-393-7706
Armour Heights Library
2140 Avenue Rd
416-395-5430
Amesbury Park Library
1565 Lawrence Ave West
416-395-5420
Centennial Library
578 Finch Ave West
416-395-5490
Locke Library
3083 Yonge St
416-393-7730
9 thoughts on “Be Patient: We’ll be Back Soon with Express Service!”
hi there. What do we do if our holds are already noted as ready for pickup?
Hi Shoshana,
If you sent your holds to Barbara Frum, the default branch is Locke Library. So if you see that your hold is ready for pickup, you have to go to the Locke library to get it. If the pickup location is inconvenient, please cancel the hold and place the item back on hold. I would recommend suspending your hold for a week, to ensure that it becomes available once we open our doors again.
So how’s the renovation going? What’s the current ETA for reopening? Thanks.
Hi there,
We will open our doors no later than Thursday November 17. We may possibly open earlier, we’ll keep you posted.
Breaking News:
We’ll be reopening our doors tomorrow Wednesday November 16 at 9 AM. Here are some notable changes:
· 3 Self-checkout machines on the 1st floor and another on the 2nd floor.
· An indoor Book Return Slot
· New space for adult & children feature films and CDs
· New space for community information and newspapers
· New romance paperback location
· And more
Come checkout your newly laid out library!
Do I need a new library card to use the new tech? Currently have one of the old white cards with a barcode but no magnetic stripe. If new card needed, how much $?
Hi there,
Our scanners pick up both the old (red&white, or solid blue) and new (blue and white) library cards. You should have no problem scanning your card, and if you do, staff will be nearby to assit you.
Have an awesome day!
Is there anywhere which tells us the libraries which are going to be renovated with RFID and the ones that already have it?
(To be honest, even finding this blog and this post wasn’t easy.)
Heya Dan,
Some good questions. To find branches that have undergone RFID, follow this link:
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hours-locations/index.jsp?Erp=250&N=37808+4292686890&Nr=NOT%28Branch+Type%3ABookmobile%29&Ns=p_title_sort§ion=Hours+%26+Locations
If the link does not work, please follow this search path: http://www.tpl.ca > Hours & Locations > Library features > Self-Checkout (RFID)
When we hear more about RFID implementation in other libraries, we’ll let you know.
Have a good one!