Norwalk Public Library Sidewalk Service 'A Popular Destination'

Press release from Norwalk Public Library System:

July 27, 2020

Norwalkers are flocking, once again, to Norwalk Public Library to borrow the latest books and DVDs, and to reconnect with a friendly, albeit mask-covered face, outside the front door. Since Sidewalk Service began on July 7, nearly 3,500 items have been checked out, with another 2,800 items placed on reserve for patrons. Christine Bradley, Executive Director of the Norwalk Public Library System, aptly capturrd the feelings of library staff when she said, “We are so pleased with July's Sidewalk Service. It has given us a chance to see our patrons, whom we have really missed during the quarantine. What is a public library without the public? Now our patrons can go online or call to reserve a book and when the books are ready, come to our door on the Mott Avenue sidewalk, or to the South Norwalk branch at 110 Washington Street, where one of the library staff will run your bag of books out to you and get to say hello at the same time!”

While Norwalk PL’s doors remain closed to the public, the library’s Pop-UP truck is on the road, visiting summer food sites at schools and local community centers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, providing free book giveaways and DIY craft bags along with information about kindergarten registration, voter registration, and completing the 2020 Census. Please visit the library website, www.norwalkpl.org, to see the Pop-Up truck’s summer schedule.

Children’s library staff also has been hard at work creating whimsical Grab Bags, which each contain5 books about the same theme. Themes include: first books in a series; mysteries; anti-racism; mermaids; trains; Black joy and more. Grab bags contain mainly picture books, but there are bags suitable for older readers, too. To reserve a Grab Bag, please call the Children’s Library, (203) 899-2780 ext. 15131.

Library fines and fees have been suspended until further notice, so now is the perfect time to return all library materials, with no charge or questions asked. Simply drop items into one of the library’s book drops and your account will be cleared.

Staff members are in the Main library and the Sono branch ready to fulfill your requests for library materials. There are three ways to request items: place a hold through the library catalog; fill out the online form on the library’s website; or call the Information Desk, (203) 899-2780 ext. 15109, to get help from a librarian. Holds will be filled as soon as items become available; requests of up to 10 items filled within 24 hours, with larger requests taking up to 48 hours. Patrons will be notified when items are ready for pickup and to arrange a pickup day and time. Sidewalk Service is available Monday - Friday, from 10 - 4 p.m.

Library helplines are open Monday - Saturday, from 10 - 4 p.m. To reach the Main library call: (203) 899-2780; Sono branch call: (203) 899 - 2790 ext. 15902. Email assistance is also available, and will be answered as soon as possible: Main library Information Services: information@norwalkpl.org; Sono branch Information Services: SoNo.Branch@norwalkpl.org.

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