The Chester Public Library is partially reopening this week, by offering "no contact" curbside pickup of library materials on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The service is for Chester Library patrons and involves material housed at the library only, since delivery service between libraries is still suspended.
Patrons must order material ahead of time, and the library asks that patrons limit curbside pickup orders to once every other week.
Request material
• Place your request on the SHARE Online Catalog (link is on www.chesterpubliclibrary.com). Or, call (618) 826-3711 and leave a message, along with your name and telephone number. Families should place orders together.
• Books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs and magazines can be ordered through curbside pickup. Children's "10-book bundles" are also available, with picture books, board books, etc.
Schedule pickup
• Wait for a phone call from a library staff member to schedule a pickup.
• Curbside pickup is available from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays and Saturdays.
Pickup and return
• Available at back entrance/parking lot only.
• Upon arrival, call the library at (618) 826-3711 and inform librarian if you will be using Option 1 or 2 as described below. (Patrons without cellphones should call the library before leaving home.)
Option 1: Librarians will place your material in a disposable bag in a crate with your last name on it near the back entrance. All items you return should be in a disposable bag and placed in the empty crate.
Option 2: Available for those with limited mobility and only one person in vehicle. Open your vehicle's trunk or roll down the back passenger window to receive materials. A library staff member will place items in the vehicle without person-to-person contact and will be able to pickup returns from the same location IF the material is in a disposable bag.
• The book drop behind the library is open for all other returns.
• Staff cannot engage in extended conversation or contact with patrons. Staff are not permitted to open a delivery bag or touch materials once they have been checked-out.
• As recommended by the Randolph County Health Department, all returned items will be quarantined for seven days before being checked in. If library staff have any questions about your returned material, you will be contacted at this time.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after using material.
Chef Bananas
Chef Bananas will kick off the library's summer series at 1 p.m. Wednesday with an online program fun for both children and adults. Register on the library's website www.chesterpubliclibrary.com/events. You will be emailed the Zoom access link on Wednesday morning.
