Washington County Library System today announced that it will offer curbside pickup services to the patrons at all eight library branch locations beginning on Monday, April 20, 2020. “Our libraries form an integral cornerstone in the structure of our community. Working with the Library Board, the county is now able to safely begin the phasing in of essential library services to the public,” explained Commissioner Dean Cox. Curbside service will be available at each location. For times, please call your closest library branch. Curbside Service allows customers to pick up library materials that have been placed on hold. Washington County has coordinated with our Public Health Officer on curbside services as well as the procedures. Social distancing is still recommended in order to effectively serve library customers and adhere to public health guidelines. For a list branch numbers and hours of operation, please visit: library.washco.utah.gov

Curbside Pickup provides increased access to our library resources during the COVID-19 closure. As we continue to put our patrons at the heart of everything we do, we strive to offer services that are adapted to this unprecedented time. Curbside pickup will allow patrons to access physical items in addition to taking advantage of the outstanding online service provided. We hope that access to these great reading and movie materials will help alleviate some of the disruption to everyday life that has occurred as a result of the pandemic.

Curbside Pickup: How it Works

1. Place items on hold using the Library website catalog, or call in if you know what you are interested in. Identify your preferred library pickup location: St. George, Washington, Santa Clara, Hurricane, Enterprise, New Harmony, Hildale or Springdale.
2. Wait for email or text notice that your hold items are ready.
3. Request Curbside Service by calling your pickup branch.
4. Library staff will prepare your items for pickup.
5. Staff will contact you when your items are checked out and ready for you to pick up. Items must be picked up that day or scheduled appropriately.
6. Go to the Library’s designated Curbside pickup branch. This will be marked by signage at each location.
7. Holds will be delivered to the cardholder once name verification has occurred.
8. When you arrive at the Library’s pickup location, call the number listed on the sign for further instructions. Pickup locations for curbside service will be clearly marked and patrons and staff should strive to comply with social distancing recommendations.
9. Wait for delivery of materials. If your vehicle is equipped with automatic doors, please open them upon arrival.

Possible Questions:

How many items can I pick up using Curbside Service?
Adults can place up to 20 items on hold, children up to 10, though not all materials may be ready for delivery at the same time. If something is already checked out to someone else, or if the items need to be delivered from another branch, there may be a delay in accessing some of those materials.

Will I lose my HOLD items if I do not pick up during the closure?
We have extended out holds until April 28^th. That will be the first time holds not picked up will be made available to the next interested patron. After that, holds will be kept for seven days as normal.

How do I return library materials?
You may return your library materials using the exterior book drops at all locations. Please do not return items directly to staff as we are enacting a quarantine protocol for all returned items.

Can I wait until the library fully opens to return my materials?
In response to COVID-19, the library temporarily suspended its fine process. The goal over the last 6 weeks was to support our patrons through these difficult times. However, as we institute curbside checkout, other people could be waiting for the requested materials. To encourage patrons to return borrowed materials for the next person on the hold list the normal return process will be implemented. A grace period of 2 weeks will be allotted, extending the checkout period of all materials until May 3^rd. After that grace period, items should be returned or renewed. Items not returned will be assessed their normal fine rate, which is 10 cents a day in most cases.

Are there any library resources I can use while branches are closed?
Yes. The library provides a wide array of digital offerings, including e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and streaming movies through our electronic resources on our website. Manage your account online – search the catalog, place holds, and renew items – at library.washco.utah.gov

Our Mission — The Washington County Library System provides staff, collections, physical and virtual spaces that promote ideas, inspire lifelong learning, and strengthen communities. We look forward to offering those physical spaces again in the future, but for now, are pleased to reconnect with you via these modified services.