Northbrook Library Extends Quarantine For Returned Materials

Press release from the Northbrook Public Library:

The library and bookdrops will be closed on Sunday, September 6 and Monday, September 7 for the Labor Day holiday. On Tuesday, September 8, the bookdrops will reopen at 9:00am and the library will be open from 4:00-8:00pm. See our daily open hours.

Our catalog will have limited functionality from September 5 - 8

From Saturday, September 5 through Tuesday, September 8, our catalog will have limited functionality as two new libraries join our network.

During this period (9/5 - 9/8):

• You must have your library card with you to check out materials.
• You can place holds for curbside pickup by phone at 847-272-6224 or in person at the library during our open hours.*
• Curbside pickup is not available on 9/6 & 9/7. If you receive notification that you have a hold available, you can schedule a curbside pickup time through Friday (9/4) for pickup on Saturday (9/5) and Tuesday (9/8).
• You will not be able to access the following databases: Axis 360**, Hoopla, Kanopy, Lynda.com, and CreativeBug.
• You will still be able to check out and access eBooks & eAudiobooks on OverDrive/Libby.
• You can register for virtual programs online, but please sign up using your name and contact information, rather than your library card number. You can also register by phone at 847-272-6224.*
• You can request a 60-minute study room appointment by calling 847-272-6224 or emailing reference@northbrook.info during our open hours.*
• Our online catalog may not be current; please call ahead to confirm that an item is on the shelf before you visit.
• No materials will be due during this time.

* The library will be closed on 9/6 & 9/7 for Labor Day. See our weekly schedule.
** Students can access Axis 360 and check out titles through their school's site using their student ID.

Starting Wednesday, September 9, you will be able to use your Northbrook library card in person at the Grayslake and Palatine Public Libraries to check out materials, in addition to the 26 other libraries in our system.

We have recently extended the length of time we quarantine items.

We have extended the quarantine period for library items to 7 days to help protect the safety of staff and patrons. Our quarantine period is based on the results of the latest REALM testing, which studies how long the SARS-CoV-2 virus is able to survive on library items.

What this means to you:

• When you return a library item, it will remain on your account for 7 days before it can be checked in. You will not be charged any overdue fines since we are a fine free library, and it will not affect your ability to place holds or check out additional items.
• When an item is touched or removed from the shelf by a patron and not checked-out, it will also have to be quarantined for 7 days.
• You may experience slightly longer wait times for physical items because of the longer quarantine period.
• At this time, we will continue to keep our bookdrops open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, if we run low on storage space for quarantined items, we may need to adjust our bookdrop hours in the future to limit the number of returns we receive each week.

This press release was produced by the Northbrook Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.