Community Corner
Oak Park Library Shares Approach To 'Put People And Safety First'
"Here's information about how your library is continuing to serve you during this pandemic."
As we share information about COVID-19, here’s information about how your public library is continuing to serve you during this pandemic. Questions? Contact us now and call 708.383.8200. For crisis resources and support, contact the library’s Social Services and Public Safety team.
Now: Digital and virtual services only
To help continue to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to serve our community, the library is reintroducing services and reopening buildings in stages, following clearly defined service levels. This plan, approved by the Board of Library Trustees at its April 28 meeting, continues to evolve and to be informed by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the state of Illinois, and the Oak Park Public Health Department. Read the full plan now »
Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Since June, the library has been prepared to move back to earlier service stages if we see the health, safety, and well-being of our staff members and community members would require that action.
Today, our intention is to help reduce the infection rate in Oak Park and around Chicago. See Oak Park testing status bulletins, demographic data, and more related to coronavirus in Oak Park »
Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Which is why from November 16 until December 16, buildings are closed and only digital and virtual services are available. More »
About physical materials access
Can I still cancel and place holds on physical items?
Yes! Through the catalog. Although due to Oak Park building closures and SWAN library limited services, it may take several weeks to receive your items.
Here’s more help from SWAN on how to manage your holds »
Not now. While buildings are closed, please keep your library materials. Book drops are also closed, and we are adjusting due dates. More »
Once buildings reopen, you can return items inside on tables in the first floor vestibule and lobby and at curbside book drops:
- In Village of Oak Park Parking Lot 55 (at North Boulevard between Kenilworth and Oak Park avenues). See on Google Maps »
- At Maze Branch on Gunderson Avenue.
- At Dole Branch on Augusta Street.
- Please note: You are responsible for items left outside book drops. If drops are full, please do not leave items next to or on top of the drop. Thank you!
Before items are checked in, and anything found pulled from the shelves, is quarantined. This means it will take longer than it used to for your account to reflect the updated status of your returned items.
- The library’s Facilities Team makes multiple trips each day to empty all five book drops, then boxes those items for quarantine. Our goal is to get items back into circulation as safely and as quickly as possible!
- Why quarantine? Unlike retail stores and restaurants that can offer more one-way transactions, including pickup and delivery, libraries circulate items between many people. This poses a different health risk to staff and the public, both when they are handled and returned. Learn more about the research »
Can I create a list of titles without placing holds?
Yes. When logged into your library account, you can add titles you want to remember to “My Lists.” Find instructions from SWAN here »
Will I be charged overdue fines for non-Oak Park materials?
Any items checked out from the Oak Park Public Library do not have late fines.
All items have lost or damage replacement costs.
For now, due dates for all SWAN library materials have been extended as needed.
SWAN is a consortium of nearly 100 west suburban libraries, and when it comes to late fines, the lending library’s rules apply.
It can be confusing, so if you have questions, please contact us.
Can I make an interlibrary loan request?
While buildings are closed, we are not offering this service.
Please note that many university and public libraries are currently unable to fill interlibrary loan requests. This may cause delays, or we may be unable to fill your request at this time. Visit oppl.org/requests to get started »
Can I drop off book donations?
No, please do not bring materials donations (books, DVDs, CDs) to any location. Find area locations who may accept book donations now »
How do I use library materials safely?
- Don’t microwave library items. Most have RFID tags that can catch on fire in a microwave.
- Don’t leave library materials in a hot car, as extreme heat can damage them.
- Don’t expose library items to ultraviolet light, which also can damage them.
- Don’t spray library items with disinfectant, which can damage covers and pages. You may use sanitizing wipes on plastic book covers and DVD and CD cases.
How is the library handling materials?
All returns (and all items found in and around the library pulled from their proper place on the shelves) are placed in quarantine before being checked in and reshelved. This means it will take longer than it used to for your account to reflect changes. More »
How is the library prioritizing safety?
Visits to the Main Library will look a lot different than they did during pre-COVID-19 times. Face coverings are required, gathering spaces are unavailable, and visits are limited to 1 hour or less. See more about how we are working together to keep each other safe »
About summer reading, in-person events, meetings & community visits
Is the library hosting in-person events?
No, there are no in-person events or meetings until we return to full service.
Library virtual programs for all ages continue to be added to this webpage and to oppl.org/calendar. (If you are on mobile, select either “Virtual & Offsite” or “All Locations” to see all virtual programs on the calendar.)
And library supported virtual meetings (via Zoom) are also available. Learn more »
Can I make new in-person meeting or study room reservations?
Not until Service Level 3.
Learn more about using virtual meeting spaces.
Is the library doing home delivery?
Home delivery services have resumed in Service Level 2. Learn more »
I have another question & want to speak to someone
Please contact us! We continue working remotely, answering your questions as quickly as we can. Call us at 708.383.8200 and leave a message. Or ask us via oppl.org/contact. A library staff member will respond as soon as possible.
This press release was produced by the Oak Park Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
