FAQ: Library Services During COVID-19

Keene Public Library will reopen its doors to the public for limited hours starting Monday, July 6. Based on health and safety guidelines, up to 60 people at a time will be welcomed to research, browse collections, and make one-hour appointments for computers. Hours will be limited to two-hour increments so that staff can sanitize public areas regularly. Meeting rooms are not available.

Library hours during the phase two reopening will be:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 a.m. – noon & 2 - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m. - noon, 2 - 4 p.m. & 5 - 7 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

All visitors must comply with recommended health and safety protocols while on the Library campus. This includes the requirement that persons over the age of 5 wear an appropriate face mask or face covering when proceeding into the Library spaces beyond the designated area of the Library Foyer. Masks will be available to visitors who do not have one with them. Six-foot distances to others will be encouraged, inside and outside of the building. Returned materials should be placed in one of the exterior book drops before entering. One public-use computer will be available in a protected area for those who are unable to wear a face mask. Visitors are asked to make their visits to the library efficient so that others may enter the building during the designated hours.

The staff looks forward to welcoming our patrons back to the Library campus.

Patrons will be able to browse the collection during our limited open hours and check out materials.

Curbside pickup of requested materials will still be available but will change to the following hours beginning on July 6:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12 pm - 2 pm
Tuesday & Thursday:  12 pm - 2 pm and 4 pm - 5 pm
 

Library patrons may reserve a computer in the adult area once per day for up to 60 minutes.  Patrons may book two appointments at a time, up to two days in advance (one today, one tomorrow, or one tomorrow, one the next day).  Patrons under the age of 18 must have a valid library card on file.

Computers in the youth department are for use by patrons under the age of 18, adults who are with children under the age of 18, and adults with care providers. Patrons can sign in for 30 minutes of time and will be able to stay on for as long as 60 minutes providing that no one else is waiting to use a computer.

All computers will shut down 15 minutes before closing.  All printing is black and white only and must be prepaid at the area's service desk.

The book drops are open for returns.  All materials that were checked out before the library closed were renewed until July 1.  We are returning to normal check out periods for all materials as of July 6.

Please do NOT put donations in the book drops.  We are unable to take donations at this time and need to keep the book drops available for return of library materials.

If you are coming in to the library during our limited open hours, please place your returned materials in one of the exterior bookdrops before entering the building.

Garden tools may be checked out using our curbside pick-up service or during our open hours beginning July 6.  A library card is not required to check out the tools.  For more information, please call the library at 603-352-0157 or visit our Seed and Tool Lending Library webpage.

Seeds can be requested using our Seed Order Form, subject to availability.  A library card is not required.

Until further notice, we are not accepting Interlibrary Loan (ILL) requests.

Holds  can be placed online through the catalog or by calling the library.  Please note that due to the volume of requests, it can take up to a day for materials to become available for pick-up.

We can issue library card numbers by phone so that residents can access our online resources, including digital books, right away, or place holds on materials for curbside pick-up.  New library accounts will have a 3-month expiration date until the account application and verification process is complete. If possible, new patrons should come into the library with IDs to complete the application process.  Please call Susan Hansmeier at 603-352-0157 for more information.

updated June 30

All library accounts which had not already expired have been renewed to AUGUST 1.  If you have any questions about your library account you can call the library Monday-Friday, 9 am - 4:30 pm, and speak with Susan Hansmeier. 

Staff are available to answer reference questions by phone Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm. You can also use the Ask a Librarian form to submit questions which will be answered by email as staff availability permits.

With your Keene Public Library card, you always have 24/7 access to our online resources, including the New Hampshire Downloadable Books collection. Even better, some resources do not require a library card.

We also have a collection of eBooks from Ebsco. This collection specializes in ebooks for children.

Check this page for more information about digital books and magazines. 

And now you have access to Acorn TV!

You can find out more about our wealth of other online resources here.

The tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020.  You may find forms online at https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions.
The Keene post office has our remaining supply of tax forms and instruction booklets.
From the AARP website:   “In response to the national emergency and to protect our employees, America’s taxpayers, communities and our partners, the IRS has temporarily closed all Taxpayer Assistance Centers and discontinued face-to-face service throughout the country until further notice.” However, you can request assistance by visiting this form https://www.aarp.org/forms/tax-prep-assistance-request.html or calling 603-230-4121.

The library is unable to accept donations at this time.

The Friends 2020 book sales have both been cancelled.

We post activities for kids and teens each day on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr.

Starting on Monday, March 30th, we will offer Dial A Story. Call 603-757-0615 and listen to a short story read by one of our Youth Librarians.

We will be scheduling discussion book and podcast discussion groups on Zoom.

The book to be discussed is Gathering: Memoir of a Seed Savior by Diane Ott Wealy. Click on this link to request a copy for curbside pickup.

The March listening list for the Podcast Brunch Club is on the theme of Happiness. A virtual chapter meets via video conference every month. We also encourage online conversations through Facebook Group, Twitter, Reddit, and by participating in the community commentary segments on the PBC podcast. To participate, sign up on the PCB website.

The Makerspace continues to be closed to the public.  Please call the library and ask to speak to anyone on the Youth Department staff if you have questions about the Makerspace.

Makers Respond to the Worldwide COVID 19 Crisis

CoBuild19 - Sharing Activities for Kids and Families at Home

There is a LOT of information out there about coronavirus and COVID-19. As with other kinds of information, a lot of it is good, and a lot of it isn't. 

We recommend the Centers for Disease Control and the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

For local information, visit the City of Keene's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information page.

For information for kids, download Coronavirus: A Book For Children.