Maxwell Library open by appointment
After five months of being closed to the public, Maxwell Memorial Library reopened for visits by appointment Aug. 17.
Director Alyssa Ali and the Maxwell staff have implemented new procedures to keep both library patrons and staff as protected as possible.
During this phase of reopening, the library will be open to the public by appointment only for browsing and for computer and copier use.
To make an appointment, please call the library at 315-672-3661 during regular hours.
Appointment requests left on the answering machine, email, or Facebook page will not be honored.
Visitors must speak with a staff member. Appointments can be made every hour on the hour, for a maximum of 45 minutes.
This minimizes the number of people in the building at any one time, which is a New York State requirement. It also gives the staff time to clean between appointments, for everyone’s protection.
If a visitor is late for your scheduled appointment, please be aware that each appointment ends at 45 minutes past the hour and they will not receive their full time in that case.
All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All visitors over the age of 2 years must wear a mask, per New York State mandate.
Curbside pickup remains an option for those who want to receive their reserved items with a minimum of person-to-person contact. Automatic notifications by phone, text, or email have restarted.
Upon receiving notification that reserved items have arrived, patrons should Maxwell Library reopens for visits by appointment call the library at 315-672-3661 during regular business hours to arrange a convenient time for pickup.
Staff will check the items out to the patron during the phone call, and the items will be placed on a cart in the vestibule. Upon arrival, patrons should present their library card or photo ID to staff, pick up their pack of reserves, and exit the building.
Per New York State COVID-19 protocols, wearing of face masks and maintaining correct social distancing is required. Accommodations for ADA compliance can be made. The outside book drop is open, and all items must be returned there. Guests are asked not to bring them into the building.
As part of the effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, all returned items will be placed in quarantine for four days.
This means that they will not be checked in until after the quarantine period.
At that time, the computers will be set to reflect the actual return date and not the check in date. No fines will accrue for items brought to the library by their due date.
Patrons are encouraged to access their library accounts online at onlib.org to search for and place reserves on library materials. Those without internet access may call the library at 315-672-3661 during regular hours for assistance with placing holds and with reader’s advisory.
According to a press release from the library, the staff is excited to welcome the community back into the building and thanks everyone for their patience during the two months of curbside-only service.
Library patrons are reminded they have access to thousands of books, audiobooks, movies, magazines, and music through OverDrive and Hoopla with thier library card. The extensive database at onlib.org provides you with free tools for learning and research.
And while in-person programming is on hold for now, the library is providing virtual programs and activities for children and adults, from story times and crafts to book discussions and workshops.
Maxwell Memorial Library is located at 14 Genesee St. in the village of Camillus. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, to 8 p.m., Friday, 10 to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 to 3 p.m. Closed Sundays. Closed Saturday through Monday, Sept. 5 through 7, for Labor Day. For more information on this and other library news, call 315-672-3661, visit online at maxwellmemoriallibrary.org/wrdprs/, or follow the library @maxmemlib on social media.
