Library Reopening April 29th

To read this text in Spanish, click here / Para español, haga clic aquí.

We are very pleased that the Library reopened on Thursday, April 29th. A huge thanks goes to all of our patrons for their patience as we navigated this past year.

Some facts about our service updates:

  • We reopened with the exact same level of service we offered over the summer: Patrons are welcome to browse the first floor collections and check out material.
  • Appointments are no longer required to visit the Trove. We will still be mindful of the number of people using the space at any given time, so we may ask you to wait a few moments before entering until another visitor leaves.
  • Our Grab & Go service ended with the close of business, Wednesday, April 28th. Effective Thursday, April 29th we reverted to having a Holds collection. Patrons will need to come into the building and check out holds material.
  • Come September 1st, we will return to regular hours (Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
  • For questions about available services call (914) 422-1480.
  • Public computing is back. We currently have 9 computer available in The Hub. Copying and faxing–20 pages maximum–is also back.
  • Seating is now available, including the long study tables as well as the counters behind the fiction collection.
  • We've launched a new service: lending laptops. Each laptop comes bundled with a hotspot. Read more about our circulating laptop program here.
  • You can reserve a study room for up to two hours, for a maximum of two people. Read more about our study rooms here.
  • Starting September 7th, The Edge's hours will be 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. More seating will be available, and the TV will return for movie screenings.
  • On Tuesday, July 6th, the Friends Bookstore will reopen. The café will be opening later in the summer. We will begin accepting book donations later in the month, date TBD!
  • Remember, masks must be worn at all times when in the Library. Please practice social distancing.
  • All our programs will continue online for the foreseeable future.
  • Museum Passes & HotSpots are available for patrons to checkout or reserve for future use here.

Over the coming weeks and months, we look forward to expanding our services and programs.

Questions? Drop me a line.

Brian Kenney
Library Director
bkenney@whiteplainslibrary.org

Categories: COVID-19, Director's Corner, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.

Comments

  1. Ruth

    Hi Brian and Library Staff,
    Will you be able to let us know when we may safely donate books to the library, either for sale in the cafe when it reopens in July, or for the library’s use?
    Thank you, and keep up the great work for our community!
    Ruth

    • Kristen, Adult Librarian

      Hi Ruth, once the Friends have had a chance to get through the backlog of donations we will be accepting donations again. Once that time comes we will send out an update in the newsletter and post on our website.

  2. Dan

    Brian, any plans to expand library access following updated CDC guidelines? Limited usage of the Trove has been very challenging.

    • Kristen, Adult Librarian

      Hi Dan,

      We will be expanding access to the Trove effective May 24th. We had to delay this because of routine air handling maintenance in the building the week of May 17th. There we be additional services available over the next few weeks. Mask wearing remains a requirement for use of the Library.

    • Brian Kenney, Library Director

      Hello Ellena.Not yet. We expect it to open July 6th.–Brian Kenney

    • Kristen, Adult Librarian

      Hi Samantha,

      Borrowing limit is 50 items per card, including up to 20 each of the following formats: CDs, DVDs, Videos, Audiobooks, CD-Roms, eBooks.

    • Kristen, Adult Librarian

      Hi Pamela, we’re currently discussing volunteer opportunities and will publish a post on the website and share in our newsletter once we’ve made a decision.

      Thanks for your interest,
      Kristen

  3. Say

    Hi, will there be seating for patrons to come and do work and/or will individual study rooms be available to be reserved?

    • Kristen, Adult Librarian

      At this time we will only be open for browsing and checking out materials. We will share updates as we expand services.

  4. Wilhelmine Harper

    Reopening Plans
    This is very exciting

    Have there been additional ventilation protocols
    added?
    Sincerely

    • Brian Kenney, Library Director

      Hello Colleen. Along with most of the other libraries in the Westchester Library System, we are quarantining all materials for 24 hours.

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