Libraries start curbside pick-ups for patrons

Local libraries have all instituted curbside pick-up plans in accordance with new statewide regulations. Each library’s procedures are detailed below:

Dorchester Public Library

The Dorchester Public Library started offering curbside service as of Monday.

Inter-library loans will not be available, so patrons are limited to materials that are available at the local library. The online V-Cat catalog can be used to request items for pick-up at Dorchester.

Patrons can also call the library at 715-654-5959 or email requests to director@dorchesterpubliclibrary.org.

Curbside pickup hours will be available on Mondays, from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Fridays, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Patrons will need to call the library to coordinate pick-up times.

Abbotsford Public Library

Starting this week, the Abbotsford Public is again be open for curbside pickup, which will be held on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursdays, 1 to 6 p.m.

All pick-ups need to be scheduled ahead of time by phone (715-223-3920), by email (abbylibrary@gmail.com), or through Facebook Messenger.

Follow three easy steps to pick up materials using curbside service.

Step one: Place your items on hold. Use the library’s website, www.abbotsfordpl. org, to search for items and place a hold on the items that you would like.

The APL can only fulfill holds with materials it owns. Patrons will need to know their library card number and pin to place holds. Patrons may also call the library at 715-223-3920 or send an email to abbylibrary@gmail.com to place holds. Patrons will be notified via email or phone when their hold is ready.

Staff will fill your holds as quickly as possible; however, wait times may be longer than usual.

Step two: Call the library and tell the staff that you’re ready to pick up. After you receive notification that your holds are ready, call the library at 715-223-3920 when you are ready to pick up your holds. Staff will schedule a pick-up time. If possible, patrons are asked to schedule pick-up times on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or Thursdays, from 1 to 6 p.m.

Step three: Pick up your items. When it is your appointed time to pick up the materials, call the library at 715-223-3920 to let staff know you have arrived.

Park in the parking lot on the south side of the library with a sign largely stating the last four digits of your library card. Library staff using PPE will deliver the library materials in a bag to your vehicle. The bag will be placed outside your car on the curb for you to retrieve or if you open your trunk we can place them inside your vehicle.

All due dates have been extended to July 1; however, if you are returning items, put them in the outside book drops or basket provided by library staff. It is against recommendations to hand library materials directly to staff.

For patron safety, all returned items will remain in quarantine for 72 hours. They will then be cleaned with an EPA regulated sanitizer before being returned to library circulation.

While the building remains closed due to the statewide Safer at Home order, the Colby Community Library (CCL) book drops are open. Due dates on all items currently checked out have been extended to June 1, but patrons may start returning items through the book drops. People are reminded that the “book” slot is for books only, and the “media” slot is for movies, CDs, audiobooks and magazines. Throughout May, the book drops are the only way to return items.

For the safety of staff and patrons, books will be removed from the book drops and quarantined for 72 hours before checking them in. This will be done in accordance with current health guidelines to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The CCL staff will then sanitize the covers of the books and the cases of the movies and audiobooks with an alcohol solution.

Curbside service is now allowed, with Thursdays in May will as pick-up days at the CCL. The first curbside pickup is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, from 3-7 p.m. Patrons will be contacted when requested items are available, so they can schedule an appointment time to pick them up between 3-7 p.m. that day. Other scheduled pickup days are May 14, 21, and 28, also from 3-7 p.m.

During this time, library materials cannot be obtained from other libraries through interlibrary loan. The only books, movies, magazines, and audiobooks available to patron are the ones currently checked in at Colby.

Beginning Monday, May 4, patrons may request items using one of three methods: 1. Visit the CCL website at www.colbypubliclibrary. org and search the V-Cat catalog. Patrons need a library card for the barcode number on the back. Also, a PIN number is required; unless you have changed it, the PIN is the last four digits of the phone number on file at the library. In the online catalog, patrons will be able to see which COLBY ONLY items are available and place holds on them.

2. Send an email message to the CCL at director@colbypubliclibrary.org with items you would like to request. The library will do its best to fill your order, but remember: only the items currently on the shelves at Colby will be available.

3. If you don’t have Internet access, call the library at 715-223-2000 and leave a message with your name, telephone number, and your requests clearly stated. (The library only has one phone line, so please be patient.) Again, the items you request need to be here at Colby.

Place your requests and you will be called or emailed to schedule your appointment time for pickup. Do not expect to drive up to the library on Thursdays between 3-7 p.m. to place an order.

Also, the CCL is working with limited staff, so patrons are asked to limit specifi c title requests to 10 items per card. (If your request is non-specific, such as “select 25 random picture books for my children” or “pull 20 Early Reader books for my child,” then library staff should be able to handle more than 10 items per card for those requests.) Social distancing rules must be followed at the time of pick up. A bag or box of your checked-out items, clearly marked with your name, will be outside the library at your scheduled pick up time for you to pick up and take to your vehicle. CCL staff will not be placing the bags into your vehicle. A distance of six feet must be maintained between you and any other persons in the area.

CCL staff will be wearing masks and gloves when handling library materials, and an insert in the pick-up bags will explain the library’s sanitizing procedures. While staff will strive to make items sanitary, there are no guarantees as to the success of their efforts.

If you have concerns, perhaps curbside pick up is not for you; the Wisconsin Digital Library has titles for you to access electronically.

If you have items to return, you need to return them to the book drops. Staff cannot accept person-to-person returns.

Curbside service has not been attempted before at the CCL, so patrons are asked to be understanding as the staff attempts this new chapter in its history of library service.

The CCL building remains closed until further notice. Wi-Fi is always on, but users are asked to maintain social distancing if not in a vehicle.

Watch the CCL website, Facebook page, and the Tribune-Phonograph for updates.