One of the places I've missed the most during our stay at home advisory is the library. I usually visit at least twice a week and always have a stack of new (to me) books ready to read. I've been going through serious library withdrawal. Thankfully, now that the MA Reopening Plan has begun, the libraries are beginning services again. None of them are open for visits yet (they should open beginning in Phase 2) but you can browse their online catalogs and order books for curbside pickup. You can also finally return the books that you've been holding since March. (Anyone else bring home a massive library haul in early March, when they announced they were closing??)
IMPORTANT: We've all been sorting through the clutter at home while we've been sheltering but libraries are not accepting book donations yet. Please continue to hold your donations until they are ready to take them. Also, the interlibrary loan program is not operating yet, so please return books to their home libraries only (i.e., Maynard books only to Maynard library, Acton books only to Acton library).
Summer Reading programs are starting soon and it looks like most, if not all, libraries will have some fun online programs! More details to come.
Here's the latest status at all libraries in the Acton-Lexington area. We will update this article as more changes occur.
Acton Memorial Library
- Book returns are now accepted in the book drops.
- Curbside pickup starts June 10. Only materials at Acton Memorial Library are available (no inter-library loan). Call 978-929-6655 x2 to request your items and schedule a pickup time.
Bedford Free Public Library
- Information about book returns and curbside pickup will be shared in June.
Sargent Memorial Library, Boxborough
- Curbside pickup is now available. Fill out THIS FORM to request books (limited to items available only at Sargent Library). Librarians will notify you when your items are ready for pickup.
Gleason Public Library, Carlisle
- Curbside pickup is now available. Use the library's online catalog to place hold requests (limited to inventory located at Gleason Library) and a librarian will notify you when they're ready for pickup.
- Book returns are now accepted to outside book drops
Concord Free Public Library
- Curbside pickup will start on Monday, June 8. More information to be shared soon.
- Book returns are accepted in the book drops only on specific days. Check their website home page for dates.
Cary Memorial Library, Lexington
- Book drops are open for book returns.
- Curbside pickup is estimated to start the week of June 29.
Lincoln Public Library
- Curbside pickup coming soon.
Maynard Public Library
- Curbside pickup is available. Request items from Maynard Library inventory via the catalog hold request function, and you will be contacted when they're ready for pickup.
- Book returns are accepted in the book drops.
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