The James Prendergast Library will continue to mandate that patrons wear face coverings when inside the facility. P-J file photo

Despite the state loosening guidelines for masks, the James Prendergast Library will still mandate that patrons wear face coverings when inside the facility.

Annie Greene, Prendergast Library executive director, informed the board of trustees during a meeting last week about library officials still asking visitors to wear a mask. She said many children haven’t received the vaccine and the library has many activities planned for young ones this summer. She added that the Jamestown Public Schools District also is requiring children to continue wearing a mask.

“We feel some people won’t want to come to the library if everyone is not masked,” she said.

In other library business, the board also approved new library hours. Greene said starting June 1, the library will be open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The library’s current hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 8:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Greene said library staff would also like to make a revision to the meeting room policy. She said the minor change for the community and fireplace room would be to allow for the maximum of 40 people at one time. She added that library officials are starting to see an increase in request to use the meeting rooms.

The board heard a presentation from staff member Christine Zeitler about the library’s butterfly garden. She said the library is planning to host a plant swap from today to May 27 from 10-11 a.m.

She said plants will be available at a table on the library’s front lawn, with them also being made available later in the children’s room. She added the library is doing this in conjunction with the Audubon Community Nature Center. She also said the library is sprouting milkweed plants to support the Audubon’s Monarch Butterfly Festival in August.

Anyone is welcome to take a plant, and if you have seeds, plants, or cuttings you’d like to swap. For more information, call the library’s information desk at 484-7135, ext. 225

Greene also reported the library received a $14,500 grant from the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation that will be used to upgrade the facility’s surveillance cameras.