Library to reopen curbside June 1

Published 4:15 pm Wednesday, May 13, 2020

The Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library will be returning with curbside services on June 1.

According to Bernadette Weese, director of the library, the goal is to begin giving limited services back to their patrons.

“We are going to begin offering curbside so the library can start providing limited services to our patrons,” she said. “We recognize that there are many who are missing being able to check out books, or who are unable to utilize READS, and we want to be able to serve our patrons in the safest way possible.”

Weese said the curbside idea came after discussions with other libraries.

“This came about by discussing reopening plans with other libraries in the region,” she said. “After speaking with those libraries, it was determined that having a coordinated reopening plan would best serve our patrons.”

While details into this are ongoing, she said that this will give patrons a contactless way of receiving books. Books checked out at the curbside service will be physical copies. Weese said patrons can request items on the shelf for checkout by calling or placing holds online. Appointments will be made for the pickup of the requested items. The number of appointments will be limited, and will be from the hours of noon to 4:30 p.m. This will not be available on weekends.

Like checking out books, returns will also be contactless. According to Weese, returns will only be accepted by the outside book drop during curbside service. This book drop will be checked every morning, and returned books will go into quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours before they will be available for checkout.

Weese said details regarding pickup are ongoing, and more details will be made available on their Facebook page as they develop.

Online books remain available for check out at https://reads.overdrive.com/

While the library will be opening curbside on June 1, Weese said plans to reopen are always ongoing.

“The library is planning ways to reopen, all while enforcing physical distancing guidelines,” she said. “This will include: a limited number of people in the building at a time, as well as 6 feet distances marked on the floor around the circulation and reference desk, as well as in the stacks where people browse, to help patrons maintain a safe distance from each other.”

For more information, you can go to the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library Facebook page.

“We miss being open and available for our patrons, but we recognize that this is a difficult time and our top priority is keeping everyone, patrons and staff alike, safe,” said Weese. “Thank you everyone for your patience while we continue to figure out how best to meet the needs of our community.”