<sigh> During the first phase of 2020 lockdown, Fairfax County Public Library—like many others across the country—completely shut down. Then, maybe early summer, they allowed patrons to place holds on materials; when they were ready the library staff delivered via curbside checkout. Towards fall, they opened up the facilities, but were limiting people to 30 minutes inside.
About a week or so ago, they announced we’re
back to curbside pickup.
This troubles me because it cuts off a certain
percentage of the population who don’t have either Internet or mobile phones (both
necessary for the process). Public libraries are there to serve the public, to
open the world to people without great means. This is another example of
COVID-19 exacerbating the wealth divide, and it sucks.
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