The original item was published from 9/1/2020 9:55:00 AM to 9/5/2020 11:21:32 AM.

News

Library News & Stories

Posted on: March 13, 2020

[ARCHIVED] Update: Current Library Services

Actualización: servicios que la biblioteca ofrece hoy en día

This message updated August 24.

Eugene Public Library is providing services in all ways possible, and expanding step by step, with safety as our top priority.

You can reach us by phone at 541-682-5450 from Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm, plus until 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Or contact us by email or live chat. We’re here to help!

We’re analyzing each service to determine when and how we can safely re-start it, following official guidelines to protect everyone’s health. Which means some familiar activities are being conducted in redesigned ways.

Starting August 24, we are able to re-start some indoor services that have been paused since spring. Limited numbers of people will be able to enter library buildings to access high-priority services. These services are designed to meet the needs of community members who have the least ability to access library services online. Some other indoor services remain unavailable for now, such as browsing the shelves or staying at the library to sit and read.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we continue to adapt to changing circumstances. As we move forward together, we’ll make sure to keep you informed. For ongoing updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and sign up for our email newsletter.

Quick links to information on this page:

Getting a library card

Online services

Visiting in person

Borrowing physical items

Returning items

Indoor computers, wifi, and charging

Summer Reading books and craft kits

Events

Hours and locations

COVID-19 information

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CONTACT US

Phone: 541-682-5450

Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm

Plus: Wednesday and Thursday until 8pm

Email

Live chat 24/7

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GETTING A LIBRARY CARD

To sign up for a library card, or for questions about how policies apply to you, please call us at 541-682-5450.

Residents of the City of Eugene

Call to sign up for a free library card. This will allow you to begin using online resources and placing hold requests immediately. To borrow physical items, including holds, the first time you come to the library you will need to show staff your current Oregon driver license or State of Oregon ID (for alternate forms of photo ID and proof of address, see this list).

Non-residents

Through September 14, people who live in the Eugene area but outside City limits can call to sign up for an online-use library card for free. After September 14, we will return to charging a fee for library cards for households outside City of Eugene limits (“non-residents”). One fee covers all cards in the household. Payment can be made by phone.

If you sign up for a library card by phone at this time, the first time you come to the library to borrow physical items, including holds, you will need to show staff your current Oregon driver license or State of Oregon ID (for alternate forms of photo ID and proof of address, see this list).

You can also sign up for a library card in person at any library location. Because only a limited number of people are allowed inside the building at the same time, that may require waiting in line outside. It will be faster and easier to sign up by phone.

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ONLINE SERVICES

Online items including ebooks, audiobooks, streaming movies and shows, music, and magazines for all ages are available free with a library card. Start here.

Our website also offers online services including Lynda.com tutorials, Ancestry.com, Consumer Reports, Mango Languages lessons, and BrainFuse live tutors free with a library card. Start here.

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VISITING IN PERSON

When visiting any library location, wear a face covering and take care to stay six feet apart from others. If you or anyone in your household is not feeling well, please do not visit the library in person.

Because only a limited number of people may be inside at the same time, some services require appointments or may require waiting in line outside. Please complete your library business as quickly as comfortable. If possible, please send only one person from your household (for example, one person can pick up everyone’s hold requests).

Computers and other surfaces are being cleaned between users. All physical items are quarantined for 72 hours between borrowers. Many typical library activities such as browsing the shelves or sitting down to read are not currently available.

Some services require a library card. If you have a library card, please bring it with you.

The parking garage under the Downtown Library is open:

Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10am-6pm

Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-8pm

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BORROWING PHYSICAL ITEMS

We are currently lending physical items including print books and magazines, DVDs, CDs, and videogames. All physical items are quarantined for 72 hours between borrowers.

A full-service library card is required to borrow physical items (not an “online-only” card). When you come to the library, bring your library card with you, wear a face covering, and stay six feet apart from others. Please see more information about visiting the library in person.

Holds: Curbside pick-up

Curbside pick-up of held items is available by appointment at the Downtown Library. Place your requests online or by phone. Wait to receive a notice that your item is ready, then follow the instructions in the notice to make an appointment.

Curbside pick-up is available only at the Downtown Library. If you usually use Bethel or Sheldon, but would prefer curbside pick-up, we can transfer your items Downtown. You can also set your account so future items will automatically be held Downtown.

If you no longer want a requested item, please cancel it online or let us know. During this time, we are not charging re-shelving fines.

Holds: Self-service pick-up

Self-service pick-up of held items is available indoors at Bethel and Sheldon branches, Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm. Place your requests online or by phone. Wait to receive a notice that your item is ready.

Self-service pick-up is available only at Bethel and Sheldon branches. If you usually use the Downtown Library, but would prefer self-service pick-up, we can transfer your items to Bethel or Sheldon. You can also set your account so future items will automatically be held at Bethel or Sheldon.

If you no longer want a requested item, please cancel it online or let us know. During this time, we are not charging re-shelving fines.

Counter service

Counter service is available indoors at the Downtown Library as another option for borrowing physical items, particularly if you don’t have easy access to place hold requests or make appointments.

Drop by the Downtown Library on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday from 10am to 6pm; or on Wednesday or Thursday from 12pm to 8pm.

You will meet with a staff member inside the building to request particular titles or get recommendations based on your interests or needs. We will gather your chosen items and deliver them to you in a designated waiting area. Then you can check out the items at the usual self-service stations.

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RETURNING ITEMS

Outdoor book return hours

Downtown Library: Monday through Saturday, 7am-7pm

Bethel and Sheldon: Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm

Due dates

To check the due date for a particular item, view your online account or contact us.

Fines

Our library does not charge late fines for children’s and teen items at all. We will not charge overdue fines on any items through September 14. After September 14, we will be very flexible about late fines for adult items. If you are at all concerned about fines, please contact us so we can assist you.

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INDOOR COMPUTERS, WIFI, AND CHARGING

Internet computers (including adaptive technology computers), and wifi and device charging stations, are available inside all library locations for one-hour appointments. These services are free and no library card is needed. Printing is free up to 20 pages.

Appointments can be made for the same day or the next day. One appointment per person per day.

Reserve an appointment by phone, in person at any location, or online.

Hours for using indoor computers, and wifi and charging stations, and for meeting with staff to make an appointment in person, are:

Downtown Library:

Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10am-6pm

Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-8pm

Bethel and Sheldon:

Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm

Face coverings are required. Please see more information about visiting the library in person.

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FREE BOOKS AND CRAFT KITS

Through September, drop by any location to pick up free books for kids and teens to keep. Plus pick up a different craft kit for kids starting each Monday, while supplies last each week. Drop-by pick-ups are available:

Downtown Library at curbside:

Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10am-6pm

Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-8pm

Bethel and Sheldon indoors:

Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm

Face coverings are required. Please see more information about visiting the library in person.

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EVENTS

We are hosting a variety of online activities, book groups, escape rooms, and more. We’re also out and about town in connection with a variety of community partners -- follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for ongoing news and to meet up with us.

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HOURS AND LOCATIONS

Phone

541-682-5450

Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm

Plus: Wednesday and Thursday until 8pm

Outdoor book return hours

Downtown Library: Monday through Saturday, 7am-7pm

Bethel and Sheldon: Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm

Holds pick up

Downtown Library: wait to receive a notice, then follow instructions to make a curbside appointment

Bethel and Sheldon: wait to receive a notice, then visit for indoor self-service pick-up