May 7, 2020

Expanded eligibility for Books by Mail, curbside pickup, quarantine of returned materials, and increased self-checkout are among the plans being considered for reopening the library after the COVID-19 closing.

The library will not open until after Governor Sununu’s stay-at-home order expires on May 31 and Mayor Jim Donchess orders the reopening of city buildings.

Books by Mail

Currently the Books by Mail program is restricted to people who have disabilities that make them unable to visit the library, or who are visually impaired. Expanded eligibility will include people at high risk for contracting COVID-19.

Safety precautions

Procedures for curbside pickup and for quarantine of returned materials will be based on best practices being developed by the Institute for Museum and Library Services and OCLC.

Staff will wear face masks and request the public to do likewise.

Self checkout

To reduce the risk of infection for library staff and customers, self-checkout stations will be installed at our main desk. We will ask customers to use those when possible. Library staff will be available to register new customers and help customers with the self-checkout computers.

Computers and meeting rooms

Public computers will be available at a later date. The opening of library meeting rooms will also be delayed, since group gatherings are still discouraged.