Altamont Library Notes for Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Hey young friends! Join our annual summer reading program! Things will be a little different this year than last, but just like in years past, there will be Summer Reading Bingo cards, prizes, and a very special stuffed raccoon hiding around the village. Stop by the library to pick up a Bingo Card, and like us on Facebook, or check out our website for all the details! Happy reading! 

Rosie Raccoon

Have you met Rosie Raccoon? She’s going to be hanging around Altamont this summer, and she’d love to make some new friends, but first you have to find her. Last week, Rosie was hanging out with some bunnies learning to knit a scarf. Did you see her? 

If you’d like a clue to help you find her this week, check out the sign in our vestibule, or like us on Facebook and look for a clue there. If you do find Rosie, come let us know where she is, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a pretty great prize at the end of the summer!

Returning materials

Ever since March 15, when we temporarily closed the library due to the COVID-19 epidemic, we’ve been pushing back the due dates on library materials that were checked out before we closed. Now that we and many other libraries have reopened for curbside pick-up and return, those due dates have started coming up, and it is time for those items you may have had for several months now to be returned.

We will not be charging overdue fines on those items if they are returned late, though other libraries may do so. In many cases, other library users are waiting for the items you have, so please drop off your library materials either in the return bins in our vestibule when we are open, or in the outside drop box when we are closed.

As a reminder, we will set all returns aside for three days before our staff check them back in, so that we can be sure that any lingering trace of coronavirus becomes inactive. Thank you for your help in getting circulation back to something like normal!

Grab & Go

Curbside Grab & Go service is in full swing here at the library and it’s been going really well so far, and it’s been so wonderful to see so many of our friends back in the library after so long.

Here’s how Grab & Go service works:

— Hours of operation for pick-up and drop-off will be noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday;

— Reserve books and DVD’ at http://www.catalog.uhls.org anytime or by calling us at 518-861-7239 beginning June 15;

— When your items are ready, a library staff member will call or email you with a time you can pick them up. Please make an appointment before you come so that we can be sure to have everything ready for you when you get here;

— Your order will be waiting on a table in the library’s vestibule in a paper bag with your name on it. Please follow the directions you will see posted about “traffic flow” and social distancing;

— At this time, the library building and its restroom will remain closed to the public. Printing, computer, faxing and photocopying services are not yet available;

— Returns can be dropped off in the marked boxes in the library’s vestibule during business hours. Due dates for previously checked out materials have been extended into July — overdue fines are not being applied to previously borrowed materials;

— Returned items will be quarantined at the library for at least 72 hours before they are able to be checked in and recirculated; and

— Library users must maintain social distance and wear masks while picking up and dropping off library materials. 

Things will be different, and we’re still figuring some things out, so please bear with us as we make the necessary changes that will allow us to offer the services you need, while protecting the health and safety of our community.

We’re so excited to be getting back into the library and continuing our work with and for you all! If you have any questions, please give us a call at 518-861-7239. See you soon!