Get back to the stacks this May.
After temporarily shutting off their shelves since the onset of the pandemic, all 25 Dallas public libraries will reopen to the public on May 4 with some new safety precautions. [Featured image via Shutterstock]
Beginning May 4, all libraries will offer two different options for checking out books: grab-and-go, or curbside pickup. While in any other (not-pandemic) time, the library encourages perusing the stacks, lounging about, conferring with staff, and filling up a wagon full of books à la Matilda, libraries are encouraging book-lovers to reduce their time in library.
“Basically, we want you to be able to come in and look and pick things but we really don’t want you to linger and stay all day,” said the city library director, Jo Giudice.
In order to keep everyone safe, libraries are encouraging staff and guests to limit interactions with one another, urging patrons to self-checkout as you would in a grocery store.
Other added safety precautions include wearing masks – if patrons don’t have one the library will provide a mask upon entry – as well as limiting capacity, and reducing the amount of seating so as to promote social distancing.
“For my staff, we’ve big hearts and all we do normally is want to help people so it’ll be it will be tough for us to keep our distance,” said Giudice.
The libraries’ public computers will be available, but users must sign-up for a single session capped at 90 minutes. Researchers, including genealogists and historians, will be able to make special appointments for up to four hours at a time.