FAQ: Library Services During COVID-19

The library is open the following hours:

Monday and Friday  10 am -- 6 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday  10 am -- 8 pm
Saturday 10 am -- 3 pm

Meeting rooms are not yet available.

All visitors must comply with recommended health and safety protocols while on the Library campus. The wearing of face coverings is not required but is recommended when in close proximity to staff or other patrons, especially in the youth and teen areas.  Social distancing within the library building is still encouraged.

Updated July 12, 2021

Those patrons who prefer curbside pickup of their reserved materials can come to the library during open hours and call when they're here to let a staff member know to bring their materials to them at the door.

Computers are available for public use during our open hours. Please see staff at the area service desk to sign up for a computer. 

Computer use is first-come, first-served. We are not taking reservations for computers.

All printing from public computers must be prepaid. 

Patrons under 18 must have a valid library card on file to use a Library computer.

Prepaid printing is available from the library computers.

The library offers a mobile printing service so you can upload documents from your home computer or through an app on your tablet or smartphone and have them printed at the library. Please see our Mobile Printing information page for more details.

Scanning and photocopying are available during our open hours.

The book drops are open for returns. Materials may also be returned inside the library.

Please do NOT put donations in the book drops. We need to keep the book drops available to return library materials.

Donations may be brought inside the library and left in the donations bin provided.

Meeting rooms and event spaces continue to be available for vital Library and City business only. Event spaces should be available in September 2021; please call Colleen Swider at the library (603-352-0157) for more information.

Updated July 12, 2021

Garden tools may be checked out using our curbside pick-up service or during our open hours. 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.

Interlibrary Loan service has resumed, but there are some restrictions. Some libraries are still not open or staffed to handle interlibrary loan services. 

Updated July 12, 2021

You can update or apply for and receive a library card during our open hours.  You can begin the library card application process by filling out this form.

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. Please call Susan Hansmeier at 603-352-0157 for more information.

See this page for information about Keene Public Library card eligibility.

updated March 13, 2021

If you have any questions about your library account, you can call the library Monday-Friday, 9 am - 6 pm, and ask to speak with Susan Hansmeier. 

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, magazines, and videos. 

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

As of June 7, 2021, the donation bin in the lobby is open. Please do not leave donations in the book drops, which must be left available for the return of library materials.

We can not accept the following items:

• dirty, mildewed, smelly, torn books
• encyclopedias
• Reader's Digest condensed/abridged books
• magazines of any type
• library discards
• textbooks
• business/finance materials older than 3 years
• health/self help materials older than 3 years
• travel guides older than 3 years
• cookbooks that are dirty/sticky/outdated
• small reference collections (e.g., Time-Life series)
• no longer relevant how-to/home improvement/crafts
• cassettes, VHS tapes, 8-track tapes

Thank you for following these guidelines.

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

Call 603-757-0615 and listen to a short story read by one of our Youth Librarians.

We offer programs for adults every week. Check our calendar to see what events are coming up.

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