For about the last month, there was a limit of only 10 patrons allowed in the Kalona Public Library at the same time due to COVID-19, but now that is changing.

With Governor Kim Reynolds recently lifting restrictions on the size of social gatherings, Library Director Trevor Sherping says the library is now accessible to more people on two fronts, “We have increased our capacity from 10 to 15 in the stacks in the adult and children’s (collections) and the children’s play area. We have also started to allow people to use our program room. Our first level of capacity for our program room is going to be eight people and anyone can request to use the program room for things like a study group. We’ve already had some daycares sign up to use it.”

Sherping says patrons do not have to reserve their library time, but it’s still recommended to call ahead. While more people are allowed in the library at one time, he says curbside checkout of books remains very popular, accounting for 40-45 percent of their circulation.