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Curbside pickup for library materials starts Thursday

The Lincoln Public Library will begin offering contactless curbside pickup for items on hold starting Thursday, June 25 at 3 p.m. and will take place thereafter on Mondays and Thursdays from 3–7 p.m. Only staff will be allowed inside the building during this phase. Hours are subject to change due to weather; any changes will be posted on the library’s website at www.lincolnpl.org.

The library can offer only materials that are already on the shelves in Lincoln (books, DVDs, etc. — no Library of Things). The delivery service used by the Minuteman Library Network is working its way through the backlog of undelivered materials, so there’s no estimated date yet for when the interlibrary loan service will resume.

To request an item, place a hold using the Minuteman Library Network’s website, but choose only items that are listed as being available at the Lincoln location. Requests for materials from libraries other than Lincoln will be saved in the system and will be filled once the delivery system is up and running. You can also call the Reference Department at 781-259-8465 ext. 204 and the staff will place your hold for you. The deadline for requesting items will be Friday at 3 p.m. for Monday pickup, and Wednesdays at 3 p.m. for Thursday pickup. Items will not be available on the same day the request is made.

Once your item has been pulled, you will be notified either by email or by telephone depending on your MLN account preferences. We will ask you to select a Monday or a Thursday to pick up your items (you will have a choice among three dates). Due to a lack of storage space and the limited number of materials available for patrons, items must be picked up on the scheduled date; if not, they will be returned to the stacks, though you may re-request items.

Pickup

• Each borrower will be limited to five items per pickup.
• Items can be picked up only between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the Monday or Thursday that you selected.
• All items will be checked out to you and placed in a bag with the due date slip inside and your name or MLN alias on the outside. Items will be placed on tables under our new tent in the handicapped parking spaces on Library Lane (the handicapped spaces have been moved across the lane.
• Items cannot be switched out from bags. To request a different title, please follow the procedures listed above.
• If you’re unsure of what items you’d like, you can fill out an adult or children’s book match forms and we will “match” you with your perfect book.

Returns

• All library materials can be returned using the library’s outdoor book drop.
• Items will still appear on your card after you return them, but the library has extended its grace period for fines from one day to four days to allow for items to be quarantined before staff checks them in.

Safety precautions

• All library materials will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before they are pulled by staff. Proper sanitization will be done before and after the process of pulling books. Although not required by the Lincoln Board of Health for an extra measure of caution, you may wish to leave these library items untouched in your home for three days before enjoying them.
• Patrons must adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear face masks. We will be marking the walkway on Library Lane to assist people.
• Patrons are asked to not linger in front of the library after picking up their materials. Questions? Please email lincoln@minlib.net or call the library at 781-259- 8465.Staff will learn as they go and make changes as needed.

Virtual bingo night at the library

The whole family can participate in the Lincoln Public Library’s bingo night as caller extraordinaire Sally Kindleberger reads off the numbers on Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. Registrants will receive a printable bingo card. For children of all ages. Limited to 20 families; email dleopold@minlib.net to register and receive a Zoom invitation ink.

Transfer station closed on Saturday

The Transfer Station will be closed on Saturday, July 4 due to the Fourth of July holiday.

COA posts July and August events

The Council on Aging’s newsletter and calendar of events for July and August are now available online.