Baldwin Library opens for limited service

Birmingham's Baldwin Public Library has reopened to the public for Grab & Go service, as of Monday, July 6, allowing visitors to browse and check out materials, with occupancy limited to 80 visitors at a time. This reopening is phase three of its six-phase reopening plan which was developed with input from staff members, health departments and other local libraries, said Rebekah Craft, associate director. After being open for three weeks of curbside delivery, the library is now open with its normal operating hours of 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Library officials are requiring visitors to wear a face mask which covers the nose and mouth when in the library and interacting with others. Disposable face maska will be available at the library entrance for those who do not have one. Visitors who cannot wear a face masks for medical reasons are encouraged to use the library's curbside pickup services. Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should not enter the library at any time. Hand sanitizing station are located throughout the library. Public computers will be available for 30-minutes per user, per day. Seating in the library is limited. All study and meeting rooms are closed, as is the computer lab and idea lab. Room rentals are unavailable. Toys, puzzles, water fountains and vending machines are not available. Visitors from different households are asked to maintain physical distancing of six-feet or more. Plexiglass screens have been installed at all service desks to help prevent the spread of germs, and staff are regularly disinfecting high-touch surface areas. Library items returned to the curbside dropbox and lobby book drop will be quarantined for 72 hours before being available for checkout. Visitors are encouraged to use the contactless self-checkout stations, curbside pickup, automated return and other of the library's many online resources. Curbside pickup is available Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.