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Local Government & Politics

Norfolk reopens more libraries and pools — with some limits

The Virginian-Pilot
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The Southside Aquatic Center in Norfolk.

The Southside Aquatic Center in Norfolk. (Roger Chesley)

Norfolk — The city will reopen three more libraries and three indoor pools starting on Nov. 2, but access and services will still be limited due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Three smaller library branches will join Norfolk’s three main branches and reopen for “Grab-n-Go” checkout two days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

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  • Barron F. Black will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday.
  • Park Place will be open Thursday and Friday.
  • Van Wyck will be open Monday and Friday.

This comes after several months of modified operations at a few central locations, a financial move meant to soften the blow of coronavirus to the city’s budget. Since March, hundreds of parks and libraries employees have been furloughed.

[ Previous coverage: Norfolk to furlough 550 employees, shift others’ duties during coronavirus pandemic ]

The city had already partially reopened the three main branch libraries — Jordan-Newby, Pretlow and Slover — in July.

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The Jordan-Newby Anchor Branch library in Norfolk's Broad Creek neighborhood. (City of Norfolk)

The Jordan-Newby Anchor Branch library in Norfolk's Broad Creek neighborhood. (City of Norfolk)

Jordan-Newby and Pretlow will continue on the same schedule: open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and closed Sunday and Monday.

But hours will be updated at Slover Library. First-floor browsing and “Grab-n-Go” checkout will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The new hours there will start on Oct. 24. Like the other main branches, Slover will be closed Sunday and Monday.

The city had also already opened several recreation facilities, but kept swimming pools closed due to concerns about COVID-19. Starting Nov. 2, three indoor pool facilities will reopen for two days each week:

  • Northside Swimming Pool will be open Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.
  • Huntersville Community Center will be open Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Southside Aquatics Center will be open Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Space at these facilities is limited, according to the city. Only registered participants are allowed inside and occupancy is capped at 30 people at a time. Of those, only 13 will be allowed in the pool at any one time — one in each of the six swimming lanes and up to seven in the non-lane swimming areas.

If you want to swim, you’ll have to reserve pool time online. (Click here to visit the city’s reservation tool).

Ryan Murphy, 757-739-8582, ryan.murphy@pilotonline.com

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