Is Your Library Open For Business?

Discussion in 'Reading & Writing' started by Ed Wilson, Aug 7, 2020.

  1. Ed Wilson

    Ed Wilson Veteran Member
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    Ours here have re-opened but under restrictions. You look through the online catalog, call to order and the order will be placed outside at an appointed time for pickup. I miss going in person to just browse around and maybe pick up a DVD or magazine.
     
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  2. Al Amoling

    Al Amoling Veteran Member
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    Same kind of situation here in Southern Maine
     
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  3. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    I didn't even know whether the libraries are open. I read e-books nowadays (can even "borrow" them electronically from the library). I checked their website and found this...

    In accordance with Harris County’s efforts to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, all Harris County Public Library branches will remain closed to the public at this time. No-contact Curbside Holds Pick-up is available.
     
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  4. Lobelia Sackville

    Lobelia Sackville Well-Known Member
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    Curbside service only at our library here also. (They did re-open a few wks bk with restrictions--masks, only so many patrons inside at a time, etc.--but are back now to the curbside service only.
     
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  5. Hal Pollner

    Hal Pollner Veteran Member
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    No, ours are open for lending books.
    Hal
     
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  6. Lois Winters

    Lois Winters Veteran Member
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    Only for drop offs and pick ups.
     
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  7. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    Same here, plus returned items are "Quarantined for 72 hours."
     
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  8. Trevalius Guyus

    Trevalius Guyus Veteran Member
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    Austin: Curbside pickup, only. Quarantine on returned items.
     
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  9. Mary Robi

    Mary Robi Veteran Member
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    Completely open but with shortened hours.
     
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  10. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    I don't know. They just built an addition to it. I haven't been to the library in years. It's only a couple of blocks from here but I just don't need anything they've got.
     
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  11. Scott Laughlin

    Scott Laughlin Very Well-Known Member
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    A library is a great investment.
     
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  12. Bill Boggs

    Bill Boggs Supreme Member
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    Ours was open with some restrictions and shortened hours but I can't visit because I no longer have a car and I don't get arount well enough to do business there.
     
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  13. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    I use the online library’s Overdrive App, and I have not been into the main downtown library since I had to go there to open a library account. I didn’t have any idea if they closed for the covid scare pandemic or not, and didn’t ever even worry about it.
    Yesterday, I opened my overdrive app to see if they had any new Thomas Perry or Jodi Picault books, and discovered that my library card had expired.
    I went to their website and didn’t see anyplace to update the card, so I next called the library.

    The man who answered explained that everyone had to come down to the main library to renew their library card, so that answered the question of whether or not they were still open for business.
    Not excited about having to drive clear downtown to renew the card, I asked if there was some way I could do it online or on the phone, and explained that I only used the online part of the library. He said they have to verify address information, so everyone HAS to come into the library.

    Now, at this point, I was seriously thinking that there should be some way around this trip, so I used the “poor little old lady, afraid of covid” ploy.
    In my most concerned voice, I asked if we had to go there even in this awful and dangerous pandemic, and cried that I am a 75 year old lady, and I have to stay safe.

    For a minute , he didn’t say anything, then he said “Okay, we never had this conversation. What is your library card number........(I told him)...... your library card has been renewed”.
    I thanked him profusely, and thought to myself that maybe there were benefits to being an old lady after all.
     
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