While the Cumberland County Library remains closed to the public, in-person services are being phased back incrementally.
As of June 15th, the library has been accepting returned materials in its curbside book-drop. To avoid potential damage to DVDs and other multimedia items, the library is asking that these items be returned on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and that books be returned on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays . Due-dates for all materials are currently extended through the end of June and are anticipated to be further extended through July 31st. Fines will continue to be waived during the library’s closure.
The library has been closely following recommendations from the CDC, state and county government. While recommendations are that returned materials be quarantined for 72 hours, the Cumberland County Library will be quarantining returned materials for a week, before returning them to the collection. The library will be taking all precautionary measures to ensure not only the proper sanitization of materials; but, more importantly, the health and safety of both the public and library staff.
The Cumberland County Library will begin a contactless curbside service, by appointment, beginning on Monday, June 22nd. This service will be available Monday through Thursday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Appointments and material requests should be made in advance by calling the library at 856-453-2210, extension 26100. Patrons will only be able to receive items that are currently available in the library’s collection; the library will not be filling interlibrary loan requests for materials at other libraries.
The service is expected to run similarly to that of other retail establishments that offer curbside service. Staff members will locate the requested items in the collection. When the patron’s appointment time arrives, staff members will keep an eye out for the car described by the patron. A library staff member will confirm the patron’s identity and then place the items in a cart at the bottom of the ramp, to the left side of the library. Patrons should stay in their car until the staff member waves for them to pick-up their items. This method will ensure that the service remains contactless.
Anyone that lives, works, or attends school in Cumberland County is eligible for a free Cumberland County Library card. A library card can be obtained by calling the Cumberland County Library. Staff will be able to provide additional information about this process when calling. Anyone wishing only to use the library’s eResources (accessible at www.cclnj.org) and those available from the New Jersey State Library (accessible at www.jerseyclicks.org) needs only be set up with a temporary card with limited access.
Library staff are available to take your calls, Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The Cumberland County Library looks forward to serving the community.