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Return hours will be limited to curbside pickup service hours at all libraries except Central Library, which will have 24/7 returns

Beginning May 26, all Madison Public Libraries will begin accepting returns of library materials.  All items checked out on or before March 17 are due on August 1.  No fines will be assessed before August 1.

Central Library’s materials return will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26 and remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Fairchild Street entrance.  The Mifflin Street materials return will be closed to accommodate social distancing for curbside pickup service.

Madison’s eight neighborhood libraries will accept returns on a limited basis, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.  At these libraries, library customers are asked to place returns in temporary carts near the permanent book drop.  These temporary return carts allow for touchless return and easy quarantining of materials.  Return service may be temporarily suspended in case of inclement weather.

“Opening library materials returns is the next phase of our plan to gradually and safely restore library service,” said library director Greg Mickells. “Using the new Forward Dane plan as a guide, Madison Public Library is continuing to plan and prepare our library buildings for when we are able to reopen our doors.  The safety of the public and our staff remains our top priority.”

While library buildings remain closed, librarians are working remotely to answer library and community questions.  Below find brief information on three current services, and a full list of services and service details at madisonpubliclibrary.org/coronavirus

Telephone assistance
Madison Public Library has opened two new centralized telephone services – regular reference assistance and library support and the Madison Internet Access Information Line.  Both services can be reached by calling the phone number 608-315-5151 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Reference assistance and library support
Common questions involve checking a library record, resetting PIN numbers for restored access, placing holds or requesting materials for curbside pickup, or questions about using online resources and collections, including troubleshooting the Libby app or OverDrive/Wisconsin’s Digital Library online collection access.

Madison Internet Access Information Line
For those who need help finding access to the internet, library staff can assist in locating nearby public wi-fi, or provide information about free or low-cost internet access plan options and contact information to request internet access from private companies or public assistance programs.

Curbside pickup service
Madison Public Library offers curbside pickup service at all Madison Public Library locations except Alicia Ashman Library which is currently being renovated and will begin offering curbside pickup service in June. Curbside pickup service hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Curbside pickup will allow library customers to:

  • pick up existing holds currently on the shelves at all libraries
  • place holds on specific items currently available in libraries, online via LINKcat (www.linkcat.info) or by calling 608-315-5151
  • ask library staff to make recommendations and place holds for other materials available at specific libraries by calling 608-315-5151

There is no delivery of library materials between library locations at this time. Because of this, library customers must request library materials that are on the shelves of the library they wish to visit.
All curbside pickup service requests will require an appointment; appointments will be scheduled by calling the library at which items will be picked up.

For additional library service updates, visit: https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/coronavirus
For a list of all library hours and locations, visit http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/locations
For downloadable audiobooks and ebooks, visit http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/ebooks
For LINKcat online library catalog, visit http://www.linkcat.info

 

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COVID-19