Monticello library re-opens with curbside pick-up

     After the Monticello City Council met on May 18 and the Monticello Library Board met on May 19, the library board and staff have put together a phased-in approach to re-opening, keeping in mind the health of the staff and the library’s patrons.

     Phase one of the re-opening, beginning Tuesday, May 26, will include curbside pick-up only of books, DVDs, and books on CD. Public access to the library will not be allowed at this time.

     “While we have had many inquiries from the public about the library re-opening, at this time the library building itself will remain closed to the public,” said Library Director Michelle Turnis. “We continue to gather the necessary cleaning supplies and safety gear to keep you and our staff as safe as possible.”

     The State Library of Iowa has shared public health guidelines in an effort to protect everyone. The library board is following those guidelines, as well as those issued by local and state public health officials in order to re-open in a safe manner.

     Curbside services will be available to library patrons Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If the need arises, the times might expand to evenings and Saturday mornings.

     Those who want to check out materials will need to request items in advance by calling the library at 319-465-3354, logging in to your library account (Monticello.biblionix.com), sending an e-mail to michelleturnis@monticello.lib.ia.us, texting 319-820-2859, or messaging the library on Facebook. The library will call you when your items are ready and you will be given a time as to when you can come to the front door of the library to pick up your materials. They will be placed in a bag on a table near the front door to eliminate contact.

     In terms of how many items can be checked out at once… The limit has been temporarily raised to a total of 40 items, including eight DVDs and eight books on CD. For new cardholders, it’s a total of 15 items, including four DVDs and four books on CD.

     While the library is opening up again, they ask that those who have had materials since March when the closure started, to please begin to return those items in the library’s drop box. Those materials will be set aside for three days to decontaminate and then wiped down before going back on the shelves for other patrons to check out.

     For those who may have had library materials since March, now is the time to bring those back to allow others the opportunity to enjoy. All items currently out will be due by Monday, June 1. At that time, fines will assessed: 10 cents a day per book; 50 cents a day per DVD or books on CD.

     “Going forward, we will return to our normal checkout period of two weeks with books and books on CD,” said Turnis. “They can be renewed two times for a total checkout period of six weeks.” (DVDs cannot be renewed.)

     If you have any questions regarding returning materials, requesting home-delivery, or reserving items, call the Monticello library at 319-465-3354.