Back to the Books
AACPL announces limited
re-openings, curbside service
Missing your local library? We are, too. So, imagine the joy we felt when the Anne Arundel County Public Library announced that curbside pickup will begin June 8 and branches will open for limited service June 15.
While it’s not the full library experience, this announcement means that physical books that have been sitting on shelves for months can now be placed into readers’ hands and library staff can get back to work making literary matches.
“The reduced hours will ensure staff have time to disinfect high traffic areas and returned books, movies and music along with cutting down opportunities for large groups to congregate. Our staff are eager to again serve the public in person. While we may not be able to provide all our services immediately, we look forward to reconnecting with our customers who are like family members,” said Library CEO Skip Auld.
Library staff will offer curbside pick-up from 10am-4pm, Monday-Saturday at all locations. Starting June 15, branches will be open for limited walk-ins from 10am-7pm, Monday-Thursday and from 10am-5pm, Friday and Saturday, except for the new Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library, which will open in July. Libraries are closed Sundays during the summer.
During the global health crisis, library staff have added more titles to the extensive digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and databases available on the library’s website.
Additionally, grant seekers and nonprofit organization employees will have temporary access to the online Foundation Directory normally only available in the Edgewater Library. The database provides information on nationwide grant makers and their grants through a database of over 92,000 foundations, corporate giving programs and grant-making public charities in the U.S.
Since the system’s closure on March 13, the library has offered dozens of virtual programs on its Facebook page (facebook.com/aacpl) and on Zoom including live kindergarten readiness storytimes weekdays at 10:30am, movie discussion clubs Fridays at 7 pm, book clubs, and numerous how-to workshops focused on using library resources. These will continue through the summer.
Based on recommendations from public health officials, all in-person library programs have been canceled through August 31. Some library programs will be held in the fall depending on state directives on gathering sizes. www.aacpl.net