On Monday, June 29, the Branch District Library will be moving to Stage 5 of our COVID-19 response and reopening plan: a limited reopening of our buildings to the public! This comes after two successful weeks conducting curbside and walk-up pickup service.
BDL Staff have been working hard for weeks to make sure that reopening our buildings is as safe as possible for the public and library staff.
What the Library Has Done
- All branches will be opened at their normal times, including Saturdays, as of August 1, 2020.
- The library is required by Executive Order to limit our attendance to 25% of capacity. This may mean that you are asked to remain outside or in your vehicle for a moment until we can let you in.
- Curbside/walk-up pickup will continue for all who want it. If you would like to use our curbside pickup service, you can place a hold on an item in our library catalog, or call the service desk at your local branch. You'll get a call or an electronic notice when your materials are ready. When you arrive for your pickup, park in one of the designated spots at the library and give us a call. If you are unable to call when you arrive, you can schedule a pickup time with the library. Curbside pickup is available M-F only.
- Computer session times are limited to 60 minutes once per day.
- Some seating and some computers have been removed to preserve social distancing and discourage gathering at the library at this time.
- Plexiglass barriers are installed at all service points.
- High-touch surfaces will be regularly disinfected, and hand sanitizer will be available.
- Toys, puzzles, games, musical instruments, and touchscreen devices have been removed.
- There will be no indoor programming at this time. Most library programming will continue to be virtual/online only.
- Faxing and photocopies are available. Notary service is available by appointment only.
We Ask Patrons to Abide by the Following
- If you are sick, please do not enter the library.
- Effective Monday July 13, patrons aged five years and older must wear a face covering if they are medically able to do so; the Library will provide a face covering if supplies are available.
- Please maintain 6 feet of distance from others in the library who are not in your household. Markers on the floor will indicate 6-foot distance in high traffic areas.
- Visits are limited to ONE hour inside the library each day. Please find your materials, or use the computer lab or other library services, as swiftly as you can and then exit the building. The library cannot be our usual community gathering place during this time.
- Used library materials will be quarantined/disinfected before returning to the shelf, so please do not re-shelve items on your own. Please leave items at designated spots for library staff.
- Please return library materials to the outside drop boxes.
- The library cannot accept donations at this time.
Summer Reading and More
That's a lot of changes, and we thank everyone in advance for being patient and understanding as we all move through this together. One thing we'll still be doing is our Summer Reading Program! It will have to be a little different this year, but it's still full of fun and prizes. See our 2020 Summer Reading Program page for details.
As always, our "digital branch" remains available to you 24/7, with thousands of books, audiobooks, magazines, movies, and so much more available from home with just your library card. If your card needs renewing, give us a call, and you can apply for a card right from home. If you want us to mail your card so you don't have to come in to the library, just call the library or send an email to info@BranchDistrictLibrary.org. And don't forget to check our calendar, website, and Facebook for all the great virtual programming we're doing right now at your library!
