March 1st: Kent County Public Library
Resumes In-Building Hours
Mobile Library Back in Service
Kent County Public Library will resume in-building hours on Monday, March 1, welcoming the public back inside the library. Patrons are invited to browse the collection and enjoy other library resources inside, in addition to having the option for curbside service.
Kent County’s mobile library will also be put back into service that week, making weekly stops Tuesday through Thursday. Due to safe spacing, guests are not permitted on the unit, but staff will set up a table with bagged items that customers reserved, checked out and clearly labeled for pick up outside the vehicle. As the mobile library is a wifi hotspot, staff can also place orders for the following week’s visit, on the spot.
“We are so excited to welcome our patrons back to the library once again,” said County Librarian Dr. Hilary Welliver. “We look forward to seeing and serving people while making our building and mobile library safe places to visit.”
For health and safety reasons, KDL will have a couple of guidelines in place:
- Patrons will be screened in order to enter the building. Properly worn masks are required, and contactless temperatures taken. Safe spacing will be observed.
- Meeting room is closed to the public and programs are still taking place virtually.
- The library building is open 10 am-Noon & 4-6 pm weekdays, and 1-5 pm on Saturdays. Patrons are asked to limit their visits to a maximum of one hour. Computer use will be limited to 45 minutes a day.
- KCPL encourages high-risk patrons to visit during the first hour of the day, as this hour is usually less busy or to make use of Curbside Pickup service which will continue through March.
- If the library’s capacity is reached, visitors will be asked to wait until others exit before entering the building.
Curbside Pickup service has become extremely popular, enabling patrons to checkout materials online and have them quickly brought to their car during regular hours. Patrons call (302) 744-1919 an hour prior to arrival to give staff time to check materials out, bag and tag the items, and place them by the Curbside Pickup door at the north end of the building. When patrons arrive to collect their bagged items, they call (302) 252-5922, and staff delivers their checked out, bagged items to their car.
Kent County’s Mobile Unit boasts three new drivers: Olive Keegan-Kelly, Cayla Ehekircher, and Susan Lanyon. Each drives the unit in rotation. In March, Kent County’s mobile library will be following this schedule:
- Tuesdays: Bylers Country Store (Route 8) 10:30-11:30 a.m.;
Hartly (Noon-1 p.m.); Cheswold Fire Hall (2:30-3:30 p.m.)
- Wednesdays: Modern Maturity Center (10:30-11:30 a.m.); Kent County Administration Complex (Bay Road) Noon-1 p.m.; Spring Meadow
(Smyrna) 2:00-3:00 p.m
- Thursdays: Veterans Home (Milford) 10:30-11:30 a.m.; Farmington
Fire Hall (Noon-1 p.m.); Felton Fire Hall (2:00-3:00 p.m.)
Patrons who are more comfortable using the library from home can enjoy a wide range of materials (www.lib.de.us) and services online, including livestreamed programs, by visiting www.tinyurl.com/KCPLcalender or Facebook (“KCPLibrary”) . Location, hours and services are detailed at www.co.kent.de.us.
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NOTE ABOUT RETURNED ITEMS: While the vast majority of returned materials are UV-sanitized upon return, patrons should not be alarmed if their returned materials do not vanish from their file immediately. Some returns will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before being checked in.
Please do not leave library materials or donations outside the library's doors or deposit donated materials in the bookdrop. Thank you for your cooperation!
Updates and announcements will be made on the Kent County webpage and on the Kent County Public Library’s Facebook page (KCPLibrary) – we ask that you check these sites frequently as events unfold. Individuals with questions may contact the Library at (302) 744-1919. Media inquiries please go the County’s Public Information Office at (302) 744-2304.
Kent County Division of Libraries encourages the public to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) procedures for limiting potential transmission causes. Common procedures include: wearing a face mask or covering, practicing good hygiene by washing hands with soap and water and then using hand sanitizer, avoiding large activities and gatherings, and staying home if you are feeling sick or have a sick family member in the home.
Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce
Delaware Division of Small Business
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Greater Kent Committee
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