Contactless Pickup Available To Howard County Library Patrons

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Library System now offers contactless pickup at all six branches from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with the exception of furlough days that fall on July 3, July 17, July 31, Aug. 14 and Aug. 28, as well as the Fourth of July.

According to the library system, patrons search the library's catalog for an item, then use an HCLS-registered library card or A+ student account for HCPSS students and "pin" to log in and place requests. Be sure to select a preferred pickup location. Requests also can be made by calling the local HCLS branch during business hours. Library patrons will receive a notification by email, mail, text or phone when holds are ready to be picked up.

Fill out the contactless holds pickup request form or call your pickup branch to make an appointment for contactless pickup. Items will be gathered by HCLS who will check them out and bag them. The bag will be labeled with a patron's name and placed on a table in the library lobby.

According to the HCLS, patrons must maintain 6 feet of social distance from others and face coverings are required. Patrons should not be in the lobby together at the same time. Borrowed items can be returned to outside book drops. Items will remain on an account for at least four days for quarantining before being entered back into the system.