Lambton Cultural Services Getting Ready to Reopen Safely

Wyoming, ON - Lambton County is preparing for limited public access and additional services at its libraries, museums, gallery and archives starting in September.

Since closing in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, cultural services staff have been working behind the scenes to offer online access to library collections, enhance online digital engagement, and adapt service to offer contactless curbside pickup. With the recent lifting of restrictions under Stages 2 and 3 of the provincial framework, staff are now preparing to welcome patrons and visitors back inside these cultural facilities, with some restrictions.

The reopening of Lambton's libraries, museums, gallery and archives follows public health guidance and the sector-specific guidelines developed by the province.

“The staff in our Cultural Services Division have adapted to the evolving pandemic situation and responded to provincial guidelines for reopening safely, working creatively to meet the needs of our residents,” said Lambton County Warden Bill Weber. “Access to culture and learning opportunities is important for our communities. After several months of disruption and isolation, residents will be provided safe access to some additional leisure opportunities and social interaction offered at our libraries, museums, gallery and archives.”

Although these spaces and interactions will look very different to enable physical distancing, every effort has been made to ensure visits to these cultural facilities are a safe and enjoyable experience for all. COVID-19 safety planning at cultural facilities includes the following:

• Library, museum, gallery and archives hours of operation, services offered and capacity are limited to ensure enhanced safety and cleaning protocols;
• Lambton County Library will expand curbside pickup to include up to 16 locations across Lambton County. With the exception of Mallroad Library (which will be reserved for curbside pickup only at this time), these same locations will also offer public computer access, wi-fi use, and in-person reference services by scheduled appointment. A valid library card is required for access to the library and its services, to permit ease of contact tracing. For more information on locations, services and hours of operation, or to book an appointment, call 519-337-3291 ext. 5900 (toll free 1-866-324-6912 ext. 5900) or visit www.lclibrary.ca;
• Library patrons will not yet be able to browse the library space for physical materials. Instead, patrons will be directed to use the curbside pickup service;
• All visits to the museums, gallery and archives are timed entry to help with physical distancing, requiring patrons to book an appointment in advance. If visitors do not have an appointment, they will only be accommodated as space and time allow. Hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and extended hours Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. -
  8:30 p.m.
• Lambton Heritage Museum will reopen by timed ticket entry on Wednesday, September 2, featuring the annual Paint Ontario Exhibition & Sale in partnership with the Grand Bend Arts Centre, postponed from its original opening in March. In addition to the hours of operation noted above, the museum will also be open on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for the duration of Paint Ontario. For more information or to purchase an admission ticket, call 519-243-2600 or visit www.heritagemuseum.ca; 
• The Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery will reopen on Friday, October 2 with timed ticket entry, featuring two new exhibitions. The gallery will feature works from Z'otz* Collective (Nahúm Flores, Erik Jerezano, Ilyana Martínez), three artists who collaborate on works that incorporate drawing, painting, collage, sculpture and site-specific installation that connect to the storytelling traditions of their Latin American culture. The gallery will also feature an exhibition of works from the permanent collection entitled Group of Seven: Their Visions Revisited 100 Years Later. For more information or to book your free admission ticket call 519-336-8127 or visit www.jnaag.ca;
• Oil Museum of Canada will allow public access by timed ticket entry starting on Tuesday, September 8. For more information or to purchase an admission ticket, call 519-834-2840 or visit www.oilmuseum.ca;
• Lambton County Archives will allow researcher access by scheduled appointment starting Tuesday, September 8. For more information or to book a scheduled appointment call 519-845-5426 or visit www.lambtonarchives.ca;
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of equipment and high-touch surfaces is in place at all cultural facilities to maintain a sanitary environment;
• Sarnia Library Theatre will only be made available to community organizations for digital recording and broadcast of live performances and/or practice and instructional purposes, with no audience access.
• New processes for recording each visitor’s name and contact information will be in place at all cultural facilities to support effective contact tracing;
• All visitors are requested to wear a face covering or non-medical mask, as physical distancing can be a challenge in certain areas of some cultural facilities. Further, visitors must comply with mandatory masking bylaws in municipalities where one exists, such as the City of Sarnia and the Town of Petrolia, and must wear a face covering or non-medical mask (unless exempted as outlined in these bylaws). All cultural services staff will also be required to wear a mask in areas accessible to the public;
• Visitors are asked to respect physical distancing by maintaining 2 metres distance from others at all times while visiting cultural facilities;
• Upon booking an appointment, all visitors will be asked to self-monitor symptoms before entering any cultural facility, and must visit at another time if feeling unwell;

In advance of re-opening to the public, the Cultural Service Division asks patrons to familiarize themselves with its guidelines to ensure cultural facilities remain a safe place for all visitors and staff. The full list of guidelines will be available on the library, museum, gallery and archives websites prior to reopening.

The County of Lambton asks all residents and visitors to continue respecting all public health guidelines, including regular hand hygiene, physical distancing, and staying home if feeling unwell. Stay informed on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Lambton County by visiting the Lambton Public Health website at www.lambtonpublichealth.ca.

-30-

Please contact:

Andrew Meyer
General Manager
County of Lambton
519-845-0809 ext. 5236
Email Andrew Meyer

Bill Weber
Warden
County of Lambton
Tel: 519-649-6885
Email Warden Bill Weber