Altamont Library Notes for Wednesday, March 24, 2021

As spring begins its customary slow awakening, and days get longer and warmer, nature is beginning to wake up again after a long winter. So, too, with our little library.

For most of the past year, we’ve had only two ways of using the library. One is to use our awesome Hoopla and Overdrive services to download ebooks and digital audiobooks to your smart devices from anywhere. That’s a pretty great service.

The other way has been our Grab & Go service, where you can order books and movies and more, and then pick them up from the library entryway when they are ready for you. That’s pretty great too.

And now for the first time since November, we’ve added a third option: You can make an appointment to come in and browse the collection!

When we were able to have browsing by appointment back in the fall, it was really great having folks back in the building again. Everyone was incredibly patient and careful about following our new rules, and I’m sure that that will be the case again this time.

Here’s how it works: You can call us at 518-861-7239 to make an appointment to come in and to browse the library collection. At first, appointments will be scheduled between noon and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visits must be scheduled ahead of time by phone, and walk-ins will not be allowed, even if no other appointments are scheduled at the time.

Appointments will be limited to 15 minutes per visit (a little longer than the last time we tried this), and to one patron or family (five people maximum) at a time. Face masks must be worn covering the mouth and nose throughout your visit even if you’ve already gotten vaccinated, and all patrons must use hand sanitizer upon entering the building.

Computers will not be available to patrons, but the photocopier and fax machine will be available. Please be advised that all toys have been temporarily removed from the children’s section, in order to keep the library hygienic and safe for all users and staff.

Curbside Grab & Go service will remain our primary mode of lending and, when items are requested, we will continue to prefer that method of delivery. Please do not schedule a visit if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms. If you are feeling unwell, or if you are unable to wear a mask for any reason, we will be happy to arrange for curbside delivery.

We look forward to continuing to serve our community in all of the ways that we safely can. We thank you all for your continued support, patience, and respect for these new rules. On behalf of the staff, we sincerely appreciate it.

So, please come back. We’ve been staying super busy with Grab & Go appointments, but a library just isn’t a library without its community coming and going to give it life and purpose. We’d love to catch up with you and your family very soon.