topic Re: Are any libraries open? in Q Talk

Are any libraries open?

MW in Iowa — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:47:11 GMT

I just was thinking about the one in our town , i believe it has been closed since March , and i just wondered if any are open in US. I know it would be hard to follow protocol , and not worth getting a virus , but sad for the people and students that go to use computers and research. It may have been a stupid question .

Re: Are any libraries open?

Tadaki — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:51:06 GMT

Mine opened back up for a while but closed again in the last couple of weeks. They do still provide curbside service, so it's open in that sense.

Re: Are any libraries open?

queendiva — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:51:50 GMT

Mine was open one day per week but recently closed to the public again. Requests for books and media can be made by phone or on line and materials are left outside the front door in brown bags for pickup. In addition, the library offers programs on line and via Zoom.

Re: Are any libraries open?

Mindy D — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:55:55 GMT

@MW in Iowa wrote:
I just was thinking about the one in our town , i believe it has been closed since March , and i just wondered if any are open in US. I know it would be hard to follow protocol , and not worth getting a virus , but sad for the people and students that go to use computers and research. It may have been a stupid question .

The library near me let's you order and drive to pick up books and other media. When books and materials are returned the library quarantines them for awhile

Re: Are any libraries open?

ThinkingOutLoud — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:56:11 GMT

Mine has reopened. The hours have changed but it's still open 6 days a week.

Re: Are any libraries open?

NJ Teacher — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:56:37 GMT

Mine opened back up with restrictions. The seating was removed, only 10 patrons can be inside, the amount of time is limited to an hour. They did get rid of most fines. Chackout is contactless with the patron using a machine.

Re: Are any libraries open?

Janey2 — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:56:41 GMT

My library is open. You can do curbside pickup, or go into the library.

Re: Are any libraries open?

Irish1210 — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:57:58 GMT

Mine is open ~ Just came home from there : )

Masks and social distancing required ~ All books are quarantined for 48 hours before recirculation.

Probably will move to curbside service soon according to librarian ~

Re: Are any libraries open?

Icegoddess — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:59:00 GMT

Mine opened awhile back, but I'm not sure if it is still open. Our state is mostly open except for a few businesses and some restaurants that remain closed to in-person dining. In fact 2 restaurants that never opened up for in-person dining have announced permanent closures. I know I have been able to access Ancestry from home without a subscription through the library which normally is only allowed from within the library's network and received notification that it would end at the end of the year, but I'm wondering if they will extend that with the uptick in cases or not.

Re: Are any libraries open?

Etoile308 — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 22:59:09 GMT

Ours had reopened. Limited hours and majority of seating was eliminated. Computers were available but only every third in use. Now they've closed again and are only available for scheduled curbside pickup.

Re: Are any libraries open?

Mz iMac — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 23:13:24 GMT

Mine was open w/restrictions w/shorter hours.

Now it is completely closed. No info when it will reopen. Probaby not until a vaccine is available. My county is spiking like crazy.

Re: Are any libraries open?

MW in Iowa — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 23:19:00 GMT

I guess it wasn't a stupid question , sounds like it is an everchanging situation , like resturants , ect . Thanks for the responses.

Re: Are any libraries open?

I am still oxox — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 23:20:38 GMT

Our re opened and then closed and not sure about next week its on a week by week basis

Re: Are any libraries open?

ScrapHappy — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 23:27:45 GMT

There are 2 libraries close to my house. They've been closed since before the pandemic for remodeling. No word when they will re-open.

Re: Are any libraries open?

FastDogWalker2 — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 23:29:29 GMT

Where I live, the libraries were closed and then opened briefly, but are closed again.

Re: Are any libraries open?

kaydee50 — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 00:03:59 GMT

Ours in Chicago is open to pick up books. Put a "hold" on the book online and get nofitifed when it's ready to be picked up. Not as good as being able to go into the stacks, but the system is working and it's better than not having a library at all.

Re: Are any libraries open?

songbird — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 00:09:54 GMT

Our's never opened. They have service though. You can place holds for books. You can pick them up and return books through one window (by the old book drop) You can call the library (librarians are working from home) to requests books, etc. Book trucks operate between branches, carrying books back and forth.

Re: Are any libraries open?

jackthebear — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 00:11:14 GMT

ours are,

but you can't go in just to browse b/c if you pick up a book to look it has to be quarantined,

I like to go in and look inside a book before I take them home,

so for now I don't bother.

online requests are operational

Re: Are any libraries open?

Gorgf — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 00:22:46 GMT

There is online and curbside and open by appointment only. Call for a day and time. I am not sure how many are allowed in at one time.

Re: Are any libraries open?

BirkiLady — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 01:34:32 GMT

Our libraries in Lincoln, NE are open weekdays and Saturday (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM) and Sunday (noon - 8:00 PM). Must wear a mask, one hour limit inside the library per person and returned items are held 72 hours before being checked back in and returned to shelves/other customers.

During the earlier stages of Covid our libraries were closed, but patrons could sign up for books/audio materials on-line. When we received an email from the branch library, we would drive there and call them to let them know we were there to pick up our materials. A librarian would place our items in plastic bags (in the enclosure between the two front doors) and we took them off a table which eliminated any person-to-person contact.

Cannot imagine not having a library! So grateful our City libraries have been so helpful within our community and worked so diligently to keep the books/audio materials (and now open again) available to everyone.