Danbury Library Begins Curbside Pickup

Press release from Danbury Library

June 4, 2020

DANBURY, CONNECTICUT - Thursday, June 4, 2020 - Many of us have adjusted to the “new normal” of curbside pickup at our favorite restaurants, grocery stores, and merchants in response to social distancing and precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic. Danbury Library is pleased to announce that beginning on Monday, June 8th, curbside pickup of library materials will be available to patrons. Adding curbside pickup represents the many ways Danbury Library has adapted regular operational procedures in order to maintain high levels of support and engagement with our patrons throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patrons may browse our Library catalog and request materials via Danbury Library’s website, https://danburylibrary.org, or by calling (203) 797-4505 ext. 7707. When the requested materials are available, patrons will receive a phone call or email from Library staff informing them that their Library materials are ready to be picked up. Curbside pickup of Library materials is available Monday through Friday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Unfortunately, Danbury Library is not able to lend touchscreen devices and mobile hotspots at this time, though we are looking at ways to circulate them again soon.

Upon arrival, patrons are asked to call (203) 797-4505 ext. 3 and inform the Library staff where they have parked. Designated spaces in our Bank Street parking lot are numbered for easy identification of your vehicle’s location. A Danbury Library staff person will then deliver the items while you remain in your vehicle. For patrons visiting on foot, curbside pickup service is available at the West Street entrance to the Library.

Patrons returning physical materials may do so in the external book drops. Staff delivering items to patrons are not permitted to receive returned items. Fines for overdue items are not being accepted at this time. However, if fines on your account are preventing you from requesting items, please call Darlene Garrison, Lending Services Manager, at (203) 797-4505, x. 7707.
“We have worked hard to mail items to our patrons, but I know they are anxious to get all of their materials at once,” said Garrison. “Most patrons I have spoken to are excited about curbside pickup and we’re excited to begin providing this service!”

Under the guidance of The Department of Health, and to ensure the safety of our community, Library staff members are actively practicing social distancing while working within the building and when interacting with patrons externally. We kindly ask that patrons limit their physical interactions with staff and practice social distancing when picking up materials.

In addition to the curbside pickup of Library items, Danbury Library’s vast collection of digital content will remain available to patrons. In total, Danbury Library provides 8 unique platforms for digital content. Downloadable and streaming eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies, and television shows are available to all residents of Danbury with a valid Danbury Library card. Downloadable content can be accessed through your personal computer, smart phone, or tablet. To access these resources, patrons may visit https://danburylibrary.org/ebooks-downloads.

As an essential city asset, the Danbury Library is committed to being a welcoming destination, responsive to the needs of our city’s diverse community, and a source of inspiration through words and ideas.

This press release was produced by Danbury Library. The views expressed here are the author's own.