Cole Library is reopening!
With Covid-19 numbers decreasing and vaccinations increasing, Cole Library is opening its doors to public patrons – with limited hours and guidelines. Reopening won’t be business as usual but a blend of old and new procedures so that we continue in the right direction with an abundance of caution. Here’s what the public library reopening will look like:
Monday, May 3rd – Saturday, May 15th we will offer a combination of limited open hours and Curbside Pickup.
Open hours:
- Monday: 3:00pm – 8:00pm
- Tuesday: 3:00pm – 8:00pm
- Saturday: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Curbside Pickup:
- Monday: 10:00am – 8:00pm
- Tuesday: 10:00am – 8:00pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 – 4:00pm
When you come into the library you or you and your “bubble” (“bubble” means anything from an individual to a single-family group) will be given a wheeled basket available in the entryway. There are five baskets total. When the five baskets are all in circulation, the next bubble will have to wait outside until one of the baskets is returned. Everyone (2 years of age or older) must wear a mask, practice social distancing, and limit their library visit to 30 minutes. Computers will be available on the first floor only and we ask that you limit computer time to 30 minutes.
Summer Hours Return
On Monday, May 17th we will begin our regular summer hours and end our Curbside Pickup program.
Summer Hours:
- Monday & Tuesday: 8:00am – 8:00pm
- Wednesday – Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
- Saturday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Our basket system, mask requirement, and visit time will remain the same.
We are so excited to open our door and welcome you back to the library!
Curbside Pickup Request Form
To manage the safety of patrons and the library staff we are going to offer curbside pickup during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Curbside Pickup Hours:
- Monday: 10:00am – 8:00pm
- Tuesday: 10:00am – 8:00pm
- Wednesday: 10:00am-4:00pm
To participate in curbside pickup:
- Search for an item in the Cole Library catalog. In the far left column check the box for Cole Library (not Libraries Worldwide). You can also narrow your search by type of material, i.e. book, DVD, audiobook, etc. Curbside pickup is for in house materials only. Make sure your items are available – items will say “available” with a green check vs “checked out”. We ask that patrons limit their selections to 7 items per library visit.
- Once you’ve chosen your titles you can either fill out a request form here or email them to Public Library Director Cathy Boggs at cboggs@cornellcollege.edu or call her at 319-895-4262.
- The library staff pulling the books will be wearing a mask and gloves for your protection. Please wear a mask when you pick up your items for the protection of others.
- Curbside pickup will be in or outside the south entryway on the first floor. The entryway ONLY will be open for pick up on Mondays from 10:00am – 6:00pm and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00am – 4:00pm – however you can fill out a form, email, or call anytime.
- 1 person or household in the entryway at a time for social distancing. Please wait 6ft from the entryway door if another person is already using the entryway.
- Your materials will be in a taped plastic bag clearly marked with your name and safety guidelines. Please touch only your bag.
- The materials you check out should be returned to the drop box in the library parking lot. The materials are then checked in and put in quarantine for 72 hours before they can be checked out again.
We are following the science as we work to make materials available to you. Our guidelines were developed using information from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health provided here. If you have any questions about this new arrangement please feel free to call or email Director Cathy Boggs.