A new chapter at the Eugene Public Library starts Monday. Branches have been closed to the public since the start of the pandemic.
Some patrons will be able to enter the library next week, for the first time since it closed for health and safety reasons in March. Library Services Director Will O’Hearn said 23 computer terminals, 10 wifi stations, and a service desk will be available downtown and three terminals and one wifi station at the two branches.
“We know it’s not going to be quite business as usual" said O'Hearn. "With physical distancing and safety measures, it’s not quite what people might be used to when we used to have 3,000 people visit every day.”
O’Hearn said employees are excited to serve the community, and to help those who are least able to access online services. He said there’s no browsing, book stacks are roped off, and open areas are limited so touch-points can be cleaned between uses. People can sign up online or in person and will line up outside before their appointment. Picking up books on hold will continue as it has since June.