Library Changes Its Pick-up Service

COMMUNITY

From Staff Reports

There will be a new way to pick up your books and other media at the Chapel Hill Public Library.

Beginning Monday, users of the new “Park & Pick Up” service will call ahead, park in the library’s parking lot and pick up their items outside the main entrance. With the library still closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the new method replaces the drive up, curbside model that had been in place for the last month.

“Cars were idling in long lines and in hot weather and creating a high amount of emissions,” said Assistant Director Meeghan Rosen about the drive up, curbside model that had been in place for the last month. “For staff, the curbside model required a lot of people to constantly run inside and outside in the heat.”

Rosen expects the new process will reduce emissions and staff fatigue, as well as reduce wait times and lines. In the first month of using the curbside model, the library served almost 400 users each day, checking out an average of just over 1,000 items daily.

Here’s how the new service will work:

• Users will place holds in the library’s online catalog, receive an email notice when the items are ready, and wait 24 hours before calling to arrange pick up.
• On the day they wish to pick up their items, users will call 919-932-2942. 
• When they get to the library, users will park in the upper parking lot, wear a mask and walk to the library’s main entrance. They will wait outside, six feet apart, while staff retrieve their items.
• Users with mobility issues should let staff know when they call in and pull into the designated area when they arrive. 

The Park & Pick Up service will be available Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.