With a handful of exceptions, most Contra Costa County libraries will open their doors to the public, with limited occupancy, for “Grab & Go Service” on Monday or Tuesday, according to the Contra Costa Library website.
Visitors will be asked to limit their stay to one hour or less and to abide by COVID-19 safety protocols such as wearing masks and social distancing.
Services available at the reopened libraries will include computer use for an hour or less, browsing, reference and account help, holds pick-up, check out and returns, and copies and printing.
Services that will not be available include chairs and tables for reading and studying, meeting rooms and in-person events. At this time, book donations are not being accepted, and newspapers are only available online.
Visitors over the age of 2 will be asked to wear a face covering or mask that covers both the mouth and nose. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrances, cleaning wipes will be offered to visitors to sanitize surfaces and seating will be limited to select computers to encourage social distancing. Toys and other high-touch play items have been removed.
Visitors wishing to reserve computer time can call their community library starting Monday.
Other safety enhancements include Plexiglass barriers at service desks, increased air intake to HVAC systems and enhanced cleaning of doorknobs, door push bars and elevator buttons.
Because of their small size, the libraries at Crockett and Rodeo will keep their doors closed to visitors, maintaining their “Front Door Service” established during the pandemic. “Front Door Service” will end at reopened libraries, but virtual programming will continue.
The Pinole Library and Ygnacio Valley Library are currently serving as COVID-19 testing sites and are scheduled to reopen later this year.
The Antioch Library will open its doors to the public June 1.
For more information, visit https://ccclib.org/grab-and-go/.