Salt Lake County Library Reopens with Limited Service May 26
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah—The County Library has begun a step-by-step reopening of its branches.
Book drops are now open for patrons to begin returning materials, including books, DVDs, and CDs. Starting May 26, patrons can arrange for curbside delivery of materials placed on hold, by reserving a pick up time at any of our branches, either online or by calling customer service. The County Library is planning to continue a phased reopening of branches for the public by early July.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in the use of our online resources and programming—from patrons reading eBooks and eMagazines, to the response to our daily Storytimes and STE[A]M activities on our social media channels,” said Jim Cooper, County Library director. “While we’ve seen a 135% increase in our online learning platforms and a 58% increase in ebook utilization, we know that isn’t the preferred format for many in our community. We’ve developed plans to make sure patrons can still access their County Library and our physical collection, but in a way that maintains safety for the community and our staff.”
Due to a Salt Lake County public health order, the County Library closed to the public on March 13. With buildings closed, staff members have been hard at work creating learning activities, increasing the availability of digital materials, and getting the buildings ready to reopen and welcome the public. Many have been redeployed to assist other Salt Lake County agencies by sewing masks, assisting local business to navigate reopening, and supporting Quarantine and Isolation Centers. Branch staff have also inventoried the entire County Library collection—almost 2 million items—a project that hasn’t happened in decades.
Curbside service will be set up to be as contactless as possible. County Library staff will wear face coverings, maintain six feet of physical distance, and maintain a heightened cleaning and disinfecting schedule to ensure safety. We encourage all Salt Lake County residents to do the same when visiting branches.
About Salt Lake County Library
Salt Lake County Library is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our community by inspiring imagination, satisfying curiosity and providing a great place for everyone to visit. You belong at the County Library and your interest to read, create, learn, play, and connect is supported by our employees, programs, collection, and online resources. Early and lifelong learning, as well as equal access for all, are at the forefront of all that we do.
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