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Due to budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Library of Brookline will be
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operating with greatly reduced hours. We will be offering contactless pickup at all three locations beginning on Monday, July 6. You may make appointments to pick up your holds beginning July 1.
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Please take careful note of when the Libraries are open for contactless pickup. Each location is closed one day a week, and we cannot offer Sunday hours. Each location will only be open for 8 hours per day, instead of our previous maximum of 11 hours per day.
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We do not know yet when we will be able to allow patrons into the buildings to browse or use computers or printers. As soon as we know, we will surely let you know.
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Thank you for your patience.
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Library Hours Starting July 6
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Brookline Village Library
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Monday-Tuesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
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Wednesday-Thursday: 1 - 9 PM
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Friday-Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM
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Thursday-Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM
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Contactless Pickup
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We are very excited to share information about Stage 3: Contactless Pickup, which will begin on July 6. We know that so many of you value the physical collections we have, and we’re pleased to be able to make those available, once more. Whether you’ve had items on hold since March or have just started placing holds this week, we look forward to getting items back out to your hands.
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We’re here for you while The Public Library of Brookline is temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please take advantage of our virtual offerings. We will begin to offer contactless pickup of library materials at all locations beginning July 6, 2020. We appreciate your patience as we all adjust to the new realities of library service.
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With the exception of audio/visual materials and WiFi Hotspots, our Library of Things and iPads are currently unavailable.
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Your items currently on hold with a status of “Ready for Pickup” will be available for pickup at the location where they are being held.
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You have three options for ordering items:
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- Place a hold via the online catalog or MLN app
- Chat with a librarian via our website Monday – Thursday 9 AM – 5:30 PM and Friday 9 AM – 5 PM. Starting July 6, chat hours are Monday – Thursday 9 AM – 9 PM and Friday 9 AM – 5 PM.
- Call a librarian during the above hours at 617-730-2370 (ext 3).
We are unable to check the library shelves on demand for a title.
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Starting July 1, once you receive notice from the Library that your item is READY FOR PICKUP, please book an appointment for pickup. You may book an appointment through the Contactless Pickup website (brklib.com/pickup), through chat, or by phone. Same day appointments are not available.
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If you use The RIDE as transportation to the Public Library of Brookline, please choose any appointment time on the day that you plan to pick up your items. In the “Notes for Library Staff” section, specify that you use The RIDE (or inform the librarian who is booking your appointment via chat or phone). Once this is noted, your bag(s) of materials will be available for pickup at any time on the date that you booked your appointment.
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Pickup locations include:
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Arrive at the Library during your appointment time. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing while approaching the pickup area. Retrieve the bag containing your item(s), which will be clearly labeled with your last name and the first three letters of your first name. Your materials will already be checked out on your card, and a receipt will be inside your bag. Enjoy your library materials!
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For the safety of our staff and patrons, we will not open our Library doors and are unavailable to speak face-to-face. If you have questions, please call us at 617-730-2370 (ext 3).
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If you miss your appointment or cancel less than 24 hours before your appointment, you will have an opportunity to schedule one additional pickup appointment before the items in your bag are canceled and returned to the shelves.
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No fines will have accrued during the quarantine period, but they will resume after June 30. Based on CDC guidance provided to the Institute for Museums and Library Services, items will be quarantined for 72 hours after you return them and before we check them in. All items will be backdated to the date that you returned them.
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Starting July 6 these book drop locations will be open during Library business hours:
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- Brookline Village- book drop closest to School Street at the Main Entrance
- Coolidge Corner- the right book drop at the Main Entrance
- Putterham- both book drops at the Main Entrance
We implore you not to leave library materials outside the Libraries when the book drops are closed, as we cannot be responsible for damage or theft.
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Thank you for your patience and support as we transition to serving you with contactless pickup and returns. We are excited to be back in the buildings and thrilled to be able to offer you physical materials after the long hiatus.
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Returning Oversize and Fragile Items
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The Library is currently accepting returns through the book drops at all locations. Most of our items - including books, CDs, and DVDs - can be returned this way.
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We have received a number of questions about items that are too large or too fragile to be returned via the book drops. We’re very pleased to announce that, starting July 6, you will be able to return those items to any of our three locations. To return a Library of Things item that won’t or shouldn’t go in the book drop, just check the list below for your preferred drop-off location and follow the instructions.
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Items may be returned between 9 AM and 3 PM, Monday - Friday. No returns will be accepted on Saturdays or Sundays.
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Item drop-off is the loading dock at the back of the building off of School Street.
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Please call 617-730-2351 when you arrive, to speak to a librarian and let them know that you are dropping items off. If nobody answers that line, please press the buzzer next to the loading bay door on the dock. A librarian will speak through the intercom to confirm the drop-off. Once someone has confirmed the drop-off, you may leave the items in front of the loading bay door and walk away. Once you have left the loading dock, staff will retrieve the items and place them in quarantine for three days before checking them in. Please do not leave items without speaking to the staff first; the Library cannot be responsible for damage or theft of items left without confirming drop-off.
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Items may be returned between 1:30 and 8 PM Monday and Tuesday, or between 10 AM and 4:30 PM Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. No returns will be accepted on Thursdays or Sundays.
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Item drop-off is the staff entrance on the side of the building as you enter the one-way drive. When you arrive, please press the buzzer next to the door, and wait for a staff member to wave at you through the door. Once someone has acknowledged the drop-off, you may leave the items on the sidewalk near the door and walk away. Once you have left, staff will retrieve the items and place them in quarantine for three days before checking them in. Please do not leave items unless staff acknowledge the drop-off; the Library cannot be responsible for damage or theft of items left without confirming drop-off.
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Items may be returned between 1:30 and 8 PM Monday and Tuesday, or between 10 AM and 4:30 PM Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. No returns will be accepted on Wednesdays or Sundays.
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Item drop-off is the staff entrance on the side of the building facing the parking lot. When you arrive, please press the buzzer next to the door, and wait for a staff member to wave at you through the windows to the left of the door. Once someone has acknowledged the drop-off, you may leave the items on the sidewalk near the door and walk away. Once you have left, staff will retrieve the items and place them in quarantine for three days before checking them in. Please do not leave items unless staff acknowledge the drop-off; the Library cannot be responsible for damage or theft of items left without confirming drop-off.
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