AMHERST – While many area libraries took a hit during the pandemic, the Amherst Town Library fared better than most.

And effective last month, late fines on books are a thing of the past.

Library Director Amy Lapointe said that fines were suspended during COVID.

“We did change a bunch of circulation policies just because we wanted to make things as easy as possible for people,” she said. “We really wanted to reduce all of the friction. And what we found suspending fines worked really well for us. Patrons love that we made it so much easier. And staff loved that we made it so much easier.”

Lapointe added that last month, overdue book fines were eliminated entirely.

“We are fine-free forever,” she said. “It’s a nationwide trend that shows that overdue fines are not an incentive. They really don’t do that much, and it equates to a bad customer service experience.”

As for reeling from the pandemic, the town library has persevered nicely; that included pivoting to going virtual-only for a short spell.

“There was actually only a short period where we were virtual-only,” she said, “from March – June 2020. And then we did curbside through September 2020 and our building has been open since last August or September of last year.”

Lapointe said that at that time, the library was opened for walk-through services only as the table and chairs that would normally be available had been removed due to to allow as much space as possible for social distancing.

Lapointe said that computers were temporarily unavailable at that time as well.

“We opened our doors last year to allow people to come in briefly and select their own books, check-out and leave,” she explained. “We had done a patron survey and found that was really the service that people were missing the most, even though they could place holds and get curbside. People really wanted to come in and browse the stacks.”

Lapointe said that circulation of e-materials was up 30 percent during the summer of last year.

“Certainly, more people tried that format when that was the one that was most available to them,” she said. “And I think what we’re seeing now is that some people are transitioning back to physical print or actual CDs or DVDs. And there are some people who really like e-materials and are staying with that format.”

Now that it’s summer, the Amherst Library is still offering virtual Zoom events, and Lapointe said that by the fall, they will be pivoting back to live in-person events for adults.

“The Zoom programming has actually worked pretty well,” she shared. “We’re getting as many people coming to Zoom programs. I think people are finding that it’s kind of convenient. You don’t have to go out and drive at night, you can stay home in your jammies and enjoy a glass of wine. So, that is working pretty well.”

In the fall, Lapointe anticipates more in-person programs because people miss getting out of the house and getting together with friends. She added that some programs are not best suited for a format such as Zoom.

“You want to listen to music live, for example,” she said. “You don’t necessarily want to listen to music over your computer speakers. But something like art history programs, where you really want to see the slides, are great on your computer because there are no bad seats. When we’re setting up the projection screen in the library, we’re always trying to figure out where to position it so everyone can see well.”

Therefore, the library will offer a combination of live and virtual events, though Lapointe said she isn’t sure where that “sweet spot” will be.

Currently, most weeks feature either a virtual event or a live event.

“All of our story times and animal visits for children will take place outside, in-person,” Lapointe said. “They’ve worked okay and people like getting together, but right now, people are not interested in virtual events for kids. It’s been difficult for us being weather dependent and it hasn’t been the easiest summer in that regard.”

For more information, visit amherstlibrary.org.