Centre County libraries resume operations with ‘limited services’ to accept returns
After being closed for more than two months, Centre County libraries are gearing up to reopen, but patrons still aren’t allowed inside.
Instead, library branches are preparing to process tens of thousands of returns.
The Office of Commonwealth Libraries granted Schlow Centre Region Library, located at 211 S. Allen St. in State College, permission to resume operations with “limited services.” Earlier this month, staff members worked to deep clean facilities in preparation for the partial reopening, which is scheduled to begin Wednesday.
All locations of the Centre County Library and Historical Museum are also now accepting returns and will be placing books in “quarantine” before returning them to their shelves.
Although community members won’t be permitted inside the libraries, remote return boxes will be opened. To avoid a surge in returns, Schlow staff asks that residents not drop off items all at once.
“We are going by last name on what days to return things — obviously, we’re not enforcing that but just hoping people understand to not return things all at once, so our staff can get caught up,” David Pencek, Schlow communications manager, said.
The schedule is as follows:
- Monday: Last names starting with A through D.
- Tuesday: Last names starting with E through H.
- Wednesday: Last names starting with I through L.
- Thursday: Last names starting with M through P.
- Friday: Last names starting with Q through T.
- Saturday: Last names starting with U through Z.
Once returned, materials will be in “quarantine” for at least three days before they are put back on the shelves, Pencek said.
Though nothing is official, Schlow staff is considering plans that would allow holds on books over the summer. If enacted, patrons will be able to pick up materials without entering the building. These changes would occur in the second stage of reopening, which has no scheduled date.
“We aren’t yet to the point where we’re thinking of a date when patrons can enter the building and browse around and hang out like normal,” Pencek said.
Neither Schlow nor any Centre County library branches will be charging late fees.
Schlow’s summer reading program will run, but all activities will be conducted virtually. To register, visit reading.schlowlibrary.org.
No Bookmobile services will be offered until further notice.
Schlow remote returns are found in several locations across the area. The book return in the Nittany Mall will not be open. Here’s where to drop off books:
- Behind the Schlow building (211 S. Allen St.)
- Brother’s Pizza in Stormstown (1450 Halfmoon Valley Road)
- Giant on North Atherton Street (255 Northland Center)
- Uni-Mart at Carson’s Corner (5140 Buffalo Run Road)
- Weis Markets on South Atherton Street (110 Rolling Ridge Drive)
- Clearfield Bank & Trust (511 Pine Grove Road, Pine Grove Mills)
This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 8:31 AM.
