By Cate Meister
In the midst of quarantine closures, both OC Public Libraries (OCPL) and the Huntington Beach Public Library (HBPL) have announced reopening for curbside pickup for library patrons.
HBPL currently takes holds placed online via hbpl.org or over the phone. Cardholders who have requested library materials will receive confirmation of their holds through email, text or phone. Drop-off and pickup of HBPL items are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Central Library.
To pick up holds, library members must visit HBPL’s Central Library location in Huntington Beach and text “HERE” to (714) 880-7040 to alert library staff of their arrival. A staff member will then leave requested items on tables located in front of the library.
All returned HBPL books will be quarantined for a 72-hour period before reentering the library system, and staff members will be equipped with face masks and gloves.
HBPL also offers a variety of online resources for library members to borrow, including Hoopla (e-books, audiobooks, music and films), CloudLibrary (e-books and audiobooks), RBdigital (magazines), and Kanopy (films), as well as a selection of research databases.
OCPL operates on a similar system to accommodate quarantine conditions.
Items can be requested with the OCPL catalog. Once holds become available, library members will be assigned a date to pick up their materials at an OCPL branch. OCPL branches will be open for pickup from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Pick-up is curbside, and both staff and patrons are required to wear face masks. In addition to facial coverings, all OCPL employees will wear gloves and maintain social distancing. All borrowed items from OCPL will remain quarantined for 72 hours after their return.
Those who would like to access online materials from OCPL can use their e-cards. OCPL e-card holders have access to Libby, RBdigital and Freegal, which grants patrons access to e-books and audiobooks, e-magazines and music, respectively. Regular library cardholders also have access to online resources. Non-members can easily apply for an e-card using the OCPL website.
For more information regarding library resources during COVID-19, visit hbpl.org or ocpl.org.
