Coronavirus Keeps Anne Arundel County Library System Closed

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — The Anne Arundel County Public Library announced Wednesday that its buildings will remain closed through at least May 3. The decision to extend the closure came after discussions with public health officials regarding the new coronavirus pandemic. The opening day for library meeting room reservations is now May 11 for events scheduled June through December 2020.

“We regret having to extend this closure but the health and safety of our customers, staff and volunteers is paramount,” said library CEO Skip Auld in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming back everyone soon.”

Library staff, eager to serve customers, have expanded their virtual program offerings on Facebook (www.facebook.com/aacpl) and Zoom including:

• The Great Movies discussion club on Fridays at 7 p.m. (this week’s selection is Big Night on Zoom and Facebook.)
• Mondays are Murder true crime discussion group March 31 at 7 p.m. (Zoom)
• Daily live storytimes from trained staff at 10:30 a.m. (Monday-Friday on Facebook)
• Weekly bilingual storytimes on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. (Facebook)
• Weekly Babies in Bloom storytimes with Ms. Rebecca on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. (Facebook)
• Miss Johanna’s STEM activity of the day at 1:15 p.m. (Facebook)
• Information on virtual author and celebrity guided storytelling, educational resources (Facebook)
• Information about these programs will be added to the library's website and Facebook page in the coming days.

Library staff continue to add more digital resources to the systems’ extensive digital collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, streaming movies, music and databases available on the library’s website. Customers are encouraged to visit AACPL’s Cloud Library collection for the quickest access to the newest books.

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Limits to some digital resources have also been eliminated including some content for adults on the Kanopystreaming service. Additionally, genealogists will enjoy having access to Ancestry.com Library Edition normally only available in library branches.

Also, customers signing up for a virtual library card online no longer need to visit at branch to continue using the card after 90 days. Anyone who lives, works or owns property in Maryland is eligible for an Anne Arundel County Public Library card.

Furthermore, the library foundation is postponing this year’s For the Love of the Library from its original date of April 17 to the fall.

Read more:

• MD Coronavirus Prompts Extended Public School Closures
• Donations, Homemade Face Masks Accepted At Anne Arundel Hospital
• Community College Donates Critical Coronavirus Fighting Supplies
• 31 Coronavirus Cases In Anne Arundel County: Officials
• MD Tax Preparers Deemed Essential Service Under Executive Order