The Northborough Free Library is pleased to announce we will be initiating no contact curbside pickup of library materials and home pickup of materials starting on Wednesday, June 17th, as part of the Library’s Phase 1 services in accordance with Governor Baker’s state guidelines.
The Library has been closed to the public since March 17th due to COVID-19 and the need to protect the health and safety of the public and staff. As a result, we are aware there are many books and materials that are out on loan, all of which are due back on July 1, 2020 since the due date for all library materials was extended by the Library’s CW MARS network.
Therefore, we will be reopening the Library’s outdoor book and media drops in the parking lot as of June 17th so that residents can begin returning materials that they have been holding on to. Again, there will be no fines or fees on any materials that have been out on extended loan during this time period.
Here are the details about the no contact curbside pickup that we will be starting on Wednesday, June 17th:
- The curbside pickup service will be available Mondays – Thursdays from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and Fridays from 11:00 am –3:00 pm.
- Pickup will be completely contactless.
- Patrons can request up to 20 items by phone, email or through the CW MARS online catalog. (Note: The 10 DVD and 5 videogame limit still applies).
- Only items from the Northborough Free Library will be available with the exception of any holds that were already on the holds shelf before we closed, which will also be available for pick up.
- Please Note: Requests must be received by 3:00 pm the day beforethe desired pick up date otherwise we will not be able to fill the request until the following day.
- Items will be pulled by staff who will be wearing gloves, checked out on the patron’s account, and placed in a plastic bag, which will be labeled with the patron’s name. All items will be checked out for 3 weeks.
- Patrons must sign up for a pick up time slot window, which will be in hour long increments (10-11, 11-12, etc.), and there will be 12 slots available every hour. This can be done by phone or online through the Library’s online Event Keeper Registration page at this link:
- Patrons can call the Library’s Main Desk at 508-393-1501 x6 when they arrive at the library to pick up their items and they will be asked to wait in their cars until the materials are ready to be picked up.
- Library staff will bring their items out to a table that will be outside the main doors and the staff will then go back inside the building.
- Once staff have gone back into the building, patrons can go to pick up their items from the table.
- The pickup table will be wiped down and disinfected after every pickup.
- If patrons miss their pickup window, they can just call the Library to reschedule another pickup time.
- Please Note: Items will be held for 2 days after a missed pickup, after which the items will be returned to the shelves.
The Library is also pleased to announce we will be initiating home pickup of materials that have been out on loan beginning Thursday, June 18thfor those who are not able to get to the Library to return their materials.
Rick Starzyk, the Library’s Outreach Coordinator, will be coordinating these pickups which will be scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. A core group of volunteers who have been working with Rick and who are well-trained will be helping with the materials pickup.
Here are the details about the home pickup of library materials that have been out on loan since the Library closed on March 17th:
- Pickup of materials that are already out on loan will start on June 17th
- Home delivery and pickup will also be no touch: TO THE DOORSTEP ONLY
- Those residents interested in having their materials picked up from their home on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm from June 18th – July 2nd should call the Adult Services desk at 508-393-1501 x5or email Rick Starzyk at rstarzyk.library@gmail.com and provide your name, home address, phone number and/or email address and the preferred pickup time.
- The delivery person will call or text or email the outreach client to let them know the date and time the materials will be picked up and/or delivered within a 1/2 hour window of time
- PLEASE ALSO NOTE:
Delivery of materials AND pickup of materials on loan will start on July 6th
- The dates and times of the delivery and pickup starting on July 6th will be announced in the near future so please look for an announcement and check the Library’s website at www.northboroughlibrary.org for the most up-to-date information.
For more information and assistance with either curbside pickup or home pickup, please call the Library at 508-393-5025 x5 or send an email message to adults@northboroughlibrary.org and the Library staff will be happy to assist you!