Locals, get that summer reading list ready: the San Diego Public Library is now offering contact-free pickup service at 11 of its branches.
Starting Tuesday, pickup service is now available Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the following locations: Carmel Valley; College-Rolando; La Jolla/Riford; Logan Heights; Mira Mesa; Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox; Mission Valley; Point Loma/Hervey; Rancho Bernardo; San Ysidro; Valencia Park/Malcolm X.
Patrons with existing holds will be notified by email when their materials are available. The San Diego Public Library will begin accepting new holds for pickup on June 1.
On Tuesday, the San Diego Public Library tweeted a photo of an employee waiting outside a library branch, ready to hand out some "lonely holds."
The San Diego Public Library also outlined how the contactless pick-up service works, step by step.
Patrons will need to present a valid library card or library card number to pick up their materials. Library facilities will not be open to the public and will not accept returns at this time. Due dates on items currently checked out have been extended to June 12. Patrons can visit the library's pickup service page for more information, including how to place a hold and what patrons can expect when they arrive to collect their materials.
The pickup service will restore access to 2.9 million physical materials in the San Diego Public Library's collection to library patrons for the first time since libraries were closed in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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"The pickup service is an important first step in the library's return to full service," said San Diego Public Library Director Misty Jones. "While our libraries have been physically closed, patrons have been using our online resources in record numbers. However, we've heard from many people who prefer physical books and this pickup service allows them to access some of the resources they've been missing."
"We're flattening the curve, and as San Diegans continue to do the right thing we will expand and restore neighborhood services in a safe and responsible way," said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. "We know San Diegans love and miss their libraries, so we're excited to offer contact-free pickup to provide access to millions of books and other materials while implementing safeguards to protect employees and patrons."
