Richmond Hill Public Library offers curbside pickup during COVID-19 shutdown

Customers can access more than 150,000 items through pilot program at central branch

Yorkregion.com
June 11, 2020
Sheila Wang

Library books are back in the game.

Richmond Hill Public Library (RHPL) has now begun to offer curbside pickup services at the central branch.

The new initiative, launched on June 9, allows book lovers to pick up their favourite books from the library in a touchless, physically distanced fashion, according to a news release.

Customers can access more than 150,000 items through the pilot program at the central location and the service may be expanded to other locations in the future.

“We know that this time is difficult for our community,” Greg Beros, RHPL board chair, said. “It has challenged us to come up with new ways to connect with families while they are home.”

Library users are required to access the RHPL online catalogue to place a hold on an item at the central library in order to use the curbside pickup service.

Once the requested item is available, the customer will receive an email or phone call inviting them to schedule a pickup time at the central branch.

On June 9, more than 40 residents -- the first to enjoy the service -- went to the central library to bring the books home from the curbside.

Each had a pre-scheduled 10-minute slot to pick up their items.

The curbside pickup initiative is among a serious of measures that the library has adopted since the closure on March 13 in order to help residents through isolation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The library has issued digital cards for all residents in York Region as well as provided free learning apps, online programming, downloadable books over the past three months.

Meanwhile, fines on all overdue items will be waived for the rest of 2020, except those accrued before the closure.