DC Public Library also begins partial Reopening Today

From the DC Public Library:

“Library customers will soon be able to borrow and return physical items from the DC Public Library. On May 29, take-out service will be offered at the Anacostia and Cleveland Park libraries as part of Mayor Bowser’s plan to reopen the District.

Because the District’s Public Health Emergency remains in effect, Library service will be restored in phases. This approach allows the Library to ensure the safety of customers and staff and to begin replenishing its physical collection.

“I am pleased that the Library is ready to begin the phased reintroduction of neighborhood services,” said Richard Reyes-Gavilan, executive director of the DC Public Library. “We especially want to give customers an early opportunity to bring back the books they’ve had in their homes for the past three months. Currently, residents have more than 200,000 items checked out, the equivalent of three neighborhood libraries’ worth of materials. The phased approach to opening allows us to retrieve items and process them in a way that is safe for our customers and our staff.”

On May 29, customers will be allowed to pick up their holds and return books to the Anacostia and Cleveland Park libraries using a take-out service model. Under this approach, customers will be allowed to pick up holds and return books at designated points near a building’s entrance. The returned books will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before being checked in. Over the next two weeks, take-out service will be expanded to a library in each ward of the city. The reopening schedule will be:

The Anacostia and Cleveland Park libraries will offer take-out service from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Friday, May 29, Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2. Customers will also be able to return items at these locations.
On Wednesday, June 3 through Friday, June 5, the Anacostia and Cleveland Park libraries will offer take-out service and accept returns from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Customers will also be able to only return items to the Mt. Pleasant, West End, Shepherd Park, Woodridge, Northeast and Benning libraries from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Starting Monday, June 8, the Anacostia, Benning, Cleveland Park, Mount Pleasant, Northeast, Shepherd Park, West End, and Woodridge libraries will offer take-out service from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays. Additionally, remote printing, which allows customers to send documents electronically for printing, will be available.
All library buildings will remain closed to the public during Phase One. Due dates for items currently checked out have been extended to August.

Offering take-out service helps ensure that the District’s social distancing guidelines are followed. Customers can request materials for take-out service by calling the Library at (202) 747-1017 for adult materials; calling (202) 747-5054 for youth materials and visiting dclibrary.org to use our catalog or our chat service. Library staff will work with the customer to schedule a pickup location.

When customers arrive at the library, they will give staff their name and library card number. Library staff will place the reserved items on an identified table. Customers must wear a face mask or covering and practice social distancing while waiting. Markers will be placed outside denoting six-feet increments.”