ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. — On Thursday, officials from the Anne Arundel County Public Library announced the need to shift to more controlled operations.
They will be reducing in-person operations by offering increased curbside and digital services as well as begin taking appointments for in-person computer use, browsing and librarian assistance starting September 8.
“While we are extremely disappointed in the need to reduce in person service, these operational changes will result in a safer environment for staff and customers,” AACPL CEO Skip Auld said. “Since opening on July 6, our staff have experienced unacceptable behavior from a small number of customers who refuse to follow laws on mask usage and social distancing. Some library employees have even been cursed at and breathed on in a deliberate attempt to do them harm. Our staff must be able to feel safe in order to successfully operate our libraries.”
Starting, Monday, August 17, all 16 library locations will shift to a Curbside Plus model. Services offered will include:
• Increased hours for contactless curbside pickup
o Monday – Thursday from 10 am to noon and 3-6 pm
o Friday and Saturday from 10 am to noon and 2-4 pm
o Sunday (starting September 13 at some branches) from 1-5 pm
• Free wireless printing of up to 10 pages, per day, through the library’s website and SmartALEC app
• Outdoor Wi-Fi at all library branches (except Riviera Beach and Discoveries: The Library at the Mall)
• Telephone assistance for research, book recommendations and more
• Virtual assistance from the Ask a Librarian email service, social media
• More virtual programs
Bookdrops remain open and staff are working diligently to add more services including:
• Appointments for browsing the stacks, using library computers and librarian assistance (Starting September 8)
• Laptop checkouts with mobile hotspots (September)
• Website chat for reference help, book recommendations (September)
• Virtual assistance from a librarian via Zoom (September)
• MedStar Mobile Health Center at Brooklyn Park Library on second and fourth Tuesdays of the month starting in September
• Take and make craft kits
• Book bundles
• Outdoor activities
