Effective Wednesday, October 8, 2020, the library will be open for browsing, fax/copy and notary public services.

Depending on weather conditions, curbside pickup will continue near, or just inside, the Main St entrance.
Appointments are encouraged for computer use.
(Please call 860-582-3121 to make arrangements for these two services.)

LIBRARY HOURS
Monday  10am – 5pm
Tuesday  1pm – 8pm
Wednesday 10am – 5pm
Thursday  1pm – 8pm
Friday 10am – 5pm

Guidelines during this period:

• If you are sick, stay home to keep your community safe.
• For your safety, and the safety of others, anyone over the age of 2 must wear a mask or face covering while in the library.  The mask must cover your mouth and nose.
• Visitors will be admitted from the rear Prospect St. entrance and will exit through the lower Main St. doors.
• You no longer need to make an appointment to browse the library’s collection, use fax/copy or notary services.
• Computers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but guaranteed time can be arranged by calling 860-582-3121 and making an appointment for computer use.
• While guidelines allow for an increased number of patrons that can visit the library at any one time, if we reach building capacity during this period, we may ask visitors to wait outside until we can admit additional people.
• Please respect staff and other patrons by maintaining appropriate social distancing (at least 6 ft.), observing one-way traffic patterns, and helping young children follow safety guidelines.
• Be sure to practice good respiratory hygiene during your visit – including covering your cough, sneezing into your elbow, and, if applicable, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Bathrooms will be open during this period.
• Cleaning protocols will be adjusted during this period to accommodate reduced staffing levels amid increased public access.  Antibacterial gel is available at various service points throughout the library and patrons are encouraged to use it at the start and conclusion of their visit.

Modified services available during this period:

• Curbside pickup will continue during the library’s open hours from the front entrance of the Library.  Parking in the Main St. lot will be prioritized for library staff and curbside pickup.
• All library materials should be returned to the outside book drop.
• As of October 1, 2020, fines on overdue materials will be collected.  Fees for faxing and printing will be accepted via a conscience box.
• To maintain social distancing, a limited number of computers are available.
• Librarians will provide computer assistance remotely and will handle all print jobs.
• Print newspapers will not be available for public viewing.  Links to digital editions of the Bristol Press, Waterbury Republican-American, Hartford Courant and US Today have been placed on all available public computers.
• Magazines have been moved to closed stacks.  If you would like to borrow an issue, library staff can check it out to you for at-home use.
• All toys have been removed from the Children’s Room to prevent the spread of germs.
• Nearly all library programming is virtual at this time.  Select programs are being held off-site and outdoors, where sufficient social distancing can be maintained.

Timeline

Throughout Pandemic:
Wifi is available 24/7 from the Library’s rear parking lot, off Prospect Street.
Help is available from library staff via phone, e-mail and social media.
Use your library card to access streaming and downloadable videos, books, audiobooks and databases.

March 17 – Library closed to public, last among neighboring communities.  Curbside service begins.
March 25 – Curbside service ends.  Library staff works remotely as supported by state guidelines and provide assistance via telephone and e-mail.  Virtual programming begins in earnest.
May 1 – Library staff returns to building, though it remains closed to the public.  Services continue to be provided via telephone and e-mail.  Virtual programming continues. (47 Confirmed Cases in Plymouth)
May 4 – Library book drop near rear entrance is unlocked.  Returned books are placed in quarantine for one week out of an abundance of caution.  (49 Confirmed Cases in Plymouth)
May 7 – Curbside service resumes.  Pickups are scheduled by phone or e-mail between 10am – 5pm daily, Mondays through Fridays and 10am – 12pm on Saturdays. (53 Confirmed Cases in Plymouth)
June 1 – Curbside pickup schedule changes to accommodate patron schedules.  Pickups are scheduled by phone or e-mail between 10am – 5pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1pm – 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10am – 12pm on Saturdays. Part-time Library staff placed on furlough due to profound economic impacts of COVID-19. (66 Confirmed Cases in Plymouth)
June 24 – Library reopens for adapted service with appointment only.  With reduced staff, Library hours adjusted to 10am – 5pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1pm – 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10am – 12pm on Saturdays.  Curbside pickup of all circulating library materials (books, DVDs, audibooks, magazines, Launchpads, etc.) will continue during open hours. (68 Confirmed Cases in Plymouth)
July 4 – Library closes on Saturdays through July and August. With reduced staff, Library hours adjusted to 10am – 5pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1pm – 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  (69 Confirmed Cases in Plymouth)
September 8 – Library expands access to accommodate walk-ins for browsing, fax/copier and notary services.  Appointments encouraged for computer use.  Library hours remain 10am – 5pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 1pm – 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.   The library continues to operate with reduced staff. (77 Confirmed Cases in Plymouth)
October 8 – Library accessible from Main Street entrance as well as Prospect Street entrance.  Library hours remain the same.  Depending on weather conditions, curbside pickup is located near, or just inside, the front entrance.  The library continues to operate with reduced staff.  (83 Confirmed Cases in Plymouth)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I request books or DVDs from other libraries?  DeliverIT CT, the statewide interlibrary loan delivery service, has restarted with modified service.  You can request materials from many libraries in Connecticut including books, audiobooks on CD, DVDs, music, magazines, Launchpads and more by calling 860-582-3121 or e-mailing tplstaff@biblio.org.
• My books are overdue!  Will I be fined?  Currently, the Library is waiving all overdue fines, fees and charges.  You can return your materials to the book return.  Items are then placed in quarantine for one week before being removed from a patron’s record.
• I can’t get hoopla/Overdrive/AcornTV to work on my device.  Can you help me?  Absolutely!  If we can’t answer your questions by phone, we can arrange a Zoom meeting to provide more specific one-on-one assistance.
• Museums will be reopening soon.  When can I borrow a museum pass?  You can borrow a museum pass now.  Please note that many museums, zoos and aquariums have revised their operating procedures to reopen safely.  Please check a museum’s website for updates prior to making plans.  *Some museum pass partners are not honoring library discount passes at this time.*
• Is the book drop open?  It sure is!  You can return any of your materials to the book return.  Items collected from the book drop are placed in quarantine to ensure they can be safely handled.  After that time, they are “checked in” and removed from a patron’s record.