Wilton, CT – Wilton Library is pleased to announce that following Governor Lamont’s state directives, and while adhering to local guidelines, the drive-thru window will be open to pick up physical materials beginning Monday, June 22 at 10 a.m. Library staff has been working diligently to bring the best possible practices to its drive thru re-opening plans with the ultimate goal of keeping patrons and staff safe. The drive-thru window, which is located on Godfrey Place, will be open Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays in the summer. The library building will remain closed to the public for now.
Elaine Tai-Lauria, executive director of Wilton Library said, “We are thrilled to be able to welcome people back to our drive-thru window. Our patrons responded wonderfully to using our Digital Library during this time and we greatly appreciate all of the positive feedback we have received. Keeping up with everyone’s reading and entertainment activities kept us very busy behind the scenes. And now we’re ready to see smiling faces in their cars.”
Before the drive-thru will be opened, the library is asking patrons to return their borrowed items to the blue return bin in the library’s parking lot beginning Tuesday, June 16. This is the only place where items will be able to be returned. Library staff will disinfect and quarantine the items for 72 hours, then the materials will be processed, re-shelved and made ready for borrowing. Patron accounts will be updated within seven days after items have been returned.
With the June 22 opening of the drive-thru window, patrons will be able to pick up their items they have placed on hold ahead of time. They will be notified by either email, text or phone when their items will be available to be picked up at the drive-thru window. All materials being returned must be dropped off in the blue return bin and will not be able to be returned at the window. This ensures that all items will be quarantined in the proper way and that only reserved materials will go through the drawer at the window.
Tai-Lauria continued, “We have been working with the town health director and other frontline professionals to ensure that the library’s processes and procedures are following state and local guidelines to keep the public and our staff safe.”
Karen Zeibak, circulation manager for Wilton Library, noted, “During the last few months, overdue fees have been waived and due dates have been extended. This allowed everyone to keep the materials in their own homes. Due dates have been extended through July 31st and we will continue to waive overdue fees through July 31st for all items checked out prior to our closing in March. By relaxing these dates, this gives people a chance to bring back their items without having to rush in.” The donation bins on Godfrey Place will remain closed for now.
Wilton Library continues to offer its Digital Library 24/7. Anyone needing assistance with downloading eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines or streaming movies, TV shows and more, may contact the library’s reference librarians at techref@wiltonlibrary.org.
Anyone wishing to reserve items may visit www.wiltonlibrary.org and click on “Catalog.” Those wishing to renew their Wilton Library cards to continue taking advantage of the Digital Library, please call 203-762-6334 or email Karen Zeibak at kzeibak@wiltonlibrary.org.
