FAQ: Library Services During COVID-19

As of Monday, December 21, the library is providing curbside pickup of materials, computer appointments, and limited photocopying service during the following hours:

Monday - Friday:  10 am - 12 pm and 3 pm - 6 pm
Saturday:  10 am - 1 pm

Browsing of the collection shelves, meeting rooms, the Maker Space, and study tables are not available.

Curbside pickup
* Place holds on materials through the online catalog or by calling the library.
* When you receive notification by phone or email that your materials are ready, come to the Winter St. entrance to pick up your already-checked out items.  Due to the volume of requests it may take up to 24 hours for materials to become available for pickup.
* Return materials in one of the exterior book drops.

Limited computer services
A  computer is available for 50-minute appointments.  Call the library for an appointment. See below for more information about using a computer.

Microfilm reader  Available by appointment.

Photocopying Staff will pick up your materials, take payment, and return your photocopied materials at the door during our curbside hours.

Library staff will be available by telephone to answer questions and make reservations during the hours of
Monday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm and Saturday 10 am - 1 pm.

Sign up for library programs online

The library subscribes to many digital collections that are free for Keene Public Library patrons to use.  You may download an ebook or magazine; listen to an audiobook; watch a movie.

A variety of other online services and useful links can be found on our Resources page.

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 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.

Patrons can see what new materials have been added to the collection by viewing our New Titles Lists and all materials by searching our catalog.  Place holds through the catalog or call the library Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. to reserve materials for later pickup at the door.

Curbside pickup hours are:
Monday - Friday:  10 am - 12 pm and 3 pm - 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 1 pm

Do not come for your items until you have been notified that they are ready to be picked up.  Come to the door during curbside pickup hours and a staff member will bring your items to you.

A library computer is available in the entrance lobby for a 50-minute appointments.  Patrons will not be able to come into the library to use their own laptops or other devices. 

Computer appointment times are:

Monday - Friday:

• 10 - 10:50 a.m.
• 11 - 11:50 a.m.
• 3 - 3:50 p.m.
• 4 - 4:50 p.m.
• 5 - 5:50 p.m.

Saturday:

• 10 - 10:50 a.m.
• 11 - 11:50 a.m.
• 12 - 12:50 p.m.

All printing must be prepaid.  Patrons may book one appointment at a time, up to two days in advance.  Appointments will be limited to one per patron per day and a maximum of two appointments per patron per week.

Please be timely for your appointment; session times cannot be extended.  Patrons who do not arrive on time for an appointment will not get the full 50 minutes.

Call 603-352-0157 Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. or Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. to book an appointment.

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

Prepaid printing is available from the library computer during appointments.

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

If you need something photocopied, come to the library door during our curbside hours.  Staff will collect your materials and payment, make your photocopies, then return the photocopied materials to you at the door.

The book drops are open for returns. 

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.

Due to the COVID pandemic, meeting rooms and event spaces are reserved for vital Library and City business only. They are not available to the general public until further notice.

Updated October 14, 2020

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.  Many libraries are not open and staffed to handle interlibrary loan service. 

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.

You can begin the library card application process by filling out this form.

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

updated Jan. 11, 2021

 If you have any questions about your library account you can call the library Monday-Friday, 9 am - 4:30 pm, and ask to speak with Susan Hansmeier. 

You can call to speak with a reference librarian between 9 am and 6 pm, Monday through Friday, or 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday.  If you leave a message, someone will get back to you as soon as possible. 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. 

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

The library is unable to accept donations at this time.

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 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.