Dauphin County Library System to partially reopen two additional locations on Tuesday
Health precautions remain in place
Harrisburg, PA – The Kline and McCormick Riverfront libraries in Harrisburg will partially reopen at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, joining five other locations that began serving members last month.
Mindful of the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19, the Dauphin County Library System will continue implementing the health precautions started with the initial openings, including allowing members up to an hour to enter the buildings to select and check out materials or use the public computers. The Library also asks all visitors to wear masks, which are available for those who need them.
Karen Cullings, executive director, said the timing of the final location to reopen – Johnson Memorial Library in Millersburg – depends on the availability of staff and pandemic status.
“We realize the important role The Library plays in the life of our community, and we are moving to open our facilities as quickly as possible while ensuring we keep our staff and the public safe,” said Cullings. “With these latest openings, we are happy to welcome members to all our Harrisburg locations.”
• Kline, 530 S. 29th St., and McCormick Riverfront, 101 Walnut St., are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. Kline is also open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Both are closed on Sundays and Mondays, and McCormick Riverfront is closed on Saturdays.
Locations already open:
• Northern Dauphin County Library, 683 Main Street, Lykens.
• East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel Street, Lower Paxton Township.
• Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. Third Street, Harrisburg.
• William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library, 200 W. Second Street, Hummelstown.
• Elizabethville Area Library, 80 N. Market Street, Washington Township.
• Hours: Except for Elizabethville, which is closed on Mondays, the libraries are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. The East Shore Area Library is also open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
• Seniors-only hour is from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at all open locations.
• Limited meeting rooms now available: One meeting room in the East Shore Area Library and three in the William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library are now available for community gatherings of 10 or fewer persons. Virtual Zoom rooms are also available. For more information or to reserve a room, go to dcls.org/meetingrooms
• Free Wi-Fi, available outside at all locations since the lockdown began March 13, will remain accessible.
Online programs and curbside delivery remain
During this limited building reopening, members wanting to check out items may request the materials online for Curbside Pickup – either through BookAdvisor or the online catalog –choosing their preferred open location for pickup. Members without computer access may request materials by calling 717-652-9380. Please note that curbside pickup is not available at McCormick Riverfront Library.
Once they have been notified their materials are ready, members have one week to retrieve their selections. All items are placed in new, clean, recyclable paper bags. A designated parking area is available, and members will call the number on the sign, verify their information, and remain in their cars while a staff member brings their items.
Due to coronavirus health concerns, The Library continues to offer all programs virtually through Zoom or Facebook, from children’s storytimes to adult book clubs. Visit dcls.org/eventscalendar to register for children’s and adult’s programs on Zoom and visit facebook.com/DCLS.PA and click on “Groups” in the left sidebar to join “Adult Programs at The Library.”
Cullings encourages the public to explore the full range of databases, eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming music and movies available online. Users need a library card for access, and Dauphin County residents can get a card for free by visiting dcls.org/getcard.
Staying safe during the pandemic
Meanwhile, The Library’s stringent safety precautions continue, including quarantining returned items for three days before returning them to circulation, and having staff clean all publicly accessible areas every two hours. Additionally, all staff members are receiving training in cleaning and sanitizing procedures. At the start of each shift, staff have their temperature taken and answer health screening questions. Staff also use gloves when handling items used by the public and when delivering materials for curbside pickup.
For more information about The Library’s reopening plan, ordering materials, accessing the vast array of online programming and other information, please visit dcls.org.