Contra Costa County Library Announces Front Door Service

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Beginning Monday, the Contra Costa County Library is offering front-door service at 23 community libraries. The service allows patrons to pick up books, DVDs and audiobooks placed on hold through the Library’s website.

The first patrons who can make an appointment to pick up their items are those with holds on the shelf from early March, before the county's public health order began. Library staff says this is necessary to clear the thousands of holds currently on library shelves and make room for new holds.

The library is contacting these patrons with instructions explaining how to make an appointment to pick up their materials. Appointments are encouraged, but not required.

Starting Thursday, June 18, new holds and appointments will be open to any patron who wishes to pick up available materials. Once patrons are notified their holds are ready, they can schedule a pick-up time.

Upon arrival at the library, patrons need to call or text the number on the sign at the front of the building. Once staff confirms their library card number, the materials are placed in a bag with the person's name on it and placed on a table at the front door.

It is a safe, contactless process, the library says.

"We are eager to reconnect with library users and take this important step toward reopening," County Librarian Melinda Cervantes said. "Staff are taking every precaution to provide visitors with a safe, library experience."

Front Door Service is available during regularly scheduled hours at 23 locations. For the time being, it is not available at the Pinole, Pleasant Hill or Prewett libraries.

All libraries are closed Sundays.

For the health and safety of staff and patrons, library items are quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours in between each use. Staff wash their hands frequently, wear masks and observe social distancing protocols. Patrons approaching the front door are asked to wear a mask and observe social distancing guidelines. All returns should be placed in the book drop.

Residents who have questions about library services can contact staff via chat between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or text questions to 925-290-7627.

In order to check out materials from the library, residents need to sign up for an eCard. The safe, contactless eCard allows patrons to check out up to three physical items.

To upgrade to a full-service card, patrons need to contact the library via chat or text and get connected to the circulation manager to make arrangements.

The library eliminated daily overdue fines in 2019.

"No one is being charged any fees for books more than 30 days overdue during the stay home order and all return dates have been extended through July 31," Library Spokeswoman Brooke Converse told Patch.