Lewis & Clark Library Offers Curbside Pickup
May 18, 2020 (Helena, MT)—While the Governor’s reopening recommendations have lifted the Stay-at-Home order for many members of our community, all Lewis & Clark Library locations will remain closed to patrons until further notice. Library staff is however offering the ability to pick up library materials at the Lincoln, Augusta, and East Helena branch locations as well as the temporary Helena Capitol Branch location at 1609 11th Avenue. The Capitol Branch shares retail space with Leslie’s Hallmark, the Dive Bakery, and M-T Glass.
On May 11th, the Library began offering curb-side holds pick up. Patrons can place holds on items that they wish to pick up. They can do that by using the Library’s online catalog or by calling the library to speak to staff. Phones are currently staffed Monday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00. When holds are ready for pickup, Library staff will call and make arrangements with patrons to schedule a pickup time and day.
Book drops at most locations are open so that patrons can return their library material. Due to construction, there will NOT be a book drop at the Main Branch in downtown Helena. To return books in Helena, please use the book drop at the Capitol Branch or one of four remote book drops.
When material is returned to the book drops, staff will quarantine all items for 72 hours before being checked in.
The Library will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in the county as well as nationally, as it makes the decisions on when to reopen the library branches in Lewis & Clark County.
Library Director John Finn would like to remind everyone that the Library has a host of online services available during this time:
- Patrons can get digital materials — including eBooks, eMagazines, eAudiobooks, and streaming videos— through the website and corresponding apps for their personal devices. Look for the Libby, OverDrive, Axis360, and Hoopla apps on their device app store; all of them are free. The Library has also increased the availability of items in digital formats.
- Access educational and informative databases on the website.
- Get questions answered by staff via voicemail Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Holds pickup beginning May 11th will follow this protocol:
- Main Branch holds are available at the new Capitol Branch location at 1609 11th Avenue, next to Leslie’s Hallmark and the Dive Bakery. Patrons will be notified by Library staff that they have a hold available, and a pick up time will be scheduled.
- Augusta, East Helena, and Lincoln branch holds will follow a similar method. Patrons will be notified of pick-up times and be asked to pick-up their items following no contact instructions.
Finn encourages anyone with questions or concerns to contact him at jfinn@lclibrary.org