Oceanside Library to reopen for curbside pickups

Posted

Like retail businesses opening up for Phase One, Oceanside Library will be reopening for curbside pickup starting June 8. Residents can begin scheduling their contactless pickup of library materials online.

Oceanside Library announced the phase-in reopening via Facebook and explained how the procedure will work. 

Residents will fill out the pickup form, and the library will respond with their scheduled pickup time. Then, at the designated time, residents will pick up the material, which will be placed in a plastic bag on a table in the library’s east parking lot — by the book drop and church. The bag will have the resident’s initials and last four digits of telephone number written on it.

“This obviously is a new procedure for us,” library staff wrote on Facebook. “We expect a few kinks here and there. We know we can count on your patience and support! We are coming back!”

Library officials noted that many titles may still be out in the public, and the Nassau Library System’s interloan system has not returned yet. However, residents can request specific books and the library will loan it if they have it. Also, the library hasn’t been receiving deliveries while the building is closed, and therefore, does not have new titles. “As we move forward, more titles will be available,” the library staff wrote.

Those who don’t have internet access can order books by calling the library at (516) 766-2360, ext. 4, from noon to 4 p.m., beginning June 8, and a librarian will assist them.

Based on CDC guidelines, the American Library Association recommends that the library quarantine all material for 48 hours before lending them out. The Nassau Library System is recommending 72 hours. Oceanside Library is quarantining all material for one week, “far in excess of even the most cautious recommendation,” they said.

All material will have the same return date, and return fees are still being waived. The book drop is now open, but library staff said there is no rush.