Beginning August 3rd, The Whiting Library building is open for patron use by appointment only.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of time:

  • Appointments are for library patrons. Anyone can become a patron by signing up for a library card. Non-resident cards are $15 a year
  • Appointments are 25 minutes long and are available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 11am, 11:30am, 12pm and 12:30pm
  • One group of up to four people can come into the library during an appointment. A group is made up of people who are not practicing social distancing from each other.
  • Appointments are to browse and check out books, use the public computers, and copy and print. We ask that you refrain from sitting and reading, playing with toys, or doing crafts. It’s best if you limit the number of things you touch.
  • The basement level book sale and meeting room will remain closed.
  • Face masks will be required. For anyone who does not want to wear a mask, we are happy to offer front porch pick up of materials and copy/print services.

Here’s how it works:

  • Please call ahead at 875-2277 to make an appointment. We will tell you what times are available and you can choose what works for you.
  • Make sure you are feeling well before coming to your appointment. Do not come in to the library if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 with the last 14 days.
  • Please enter the library through the main door on the front of the buliding. The basement door will be available for use.
  • Everyone entering the library will be required to wear a face mask. We will have single-use paper face masks available for those who come for their appointment without a mask. Please put on your face mask before entering the building. For anyone who does not want to wear a mask, we are happy to offer front porch pick up of materials and copy/print services. Staff will also be wearing masks and maintaining their distance.
  • We will have hand sanitizer available at the entrance to the library, and at other key points in the building. Staff will not being going around sanitizing everything that anyone touches. We will wipe down high-touch surfaces between patrons, computers are use, and restrooms after use.
  • You are welcome to go in all first floor library spaces. Please maintain a distance of 6 feet from all staff members during your visit. There is a plexiglass shield installed at the circulation desk for safety during this close interaction.
  •  When you are ready to check out your selections, all check outs will be done at the main circulation desk. No checks will be done in the children’s room. We will ask for your assistance scanning your books for check out so that we don’t have touch any of your items.
  • There will be cleaning products available if you would like to spray down your library items when you check them out. If you would like to read the library’s safety plan for how we are quarantining returned materials and meeting safety guidelines, you can read that here.
  • Please exit the library when your time slot is up. Give us a wave goodbye!

Thank you for reading all this!

Please check back here frequently for service changes give the library a call. Plans will adapt and change as we see how things go! You can read our current Library Safety Plan and Whiting Library Reopening Plan for more info.

Remember, front porch pick up remains the preferred method of checking out books, as it keeps everyone safer and allows the library to serve more people. We look forward to seeing you soon!