Hannibal Library Offering Curbside & In-Person Service

With COVID-19 numbers cranking higher in our area and people becoming increasingly concerned about social distancing, the Hannibal Free Public Library has announced it will resume offering Curbside Pickup Service, beginning on Tuesday, July 28th, at 10 a.m.

“When we opened the building to the public again in mid-June, we stopped offering Curbside Pickup Service because of staffing levels,” Library Director Hallie Yundt Silver said. “In the last six weeks, we have seen many of our patrons again, but we have not seen everyone who used Curbside.

Some people have begged us to continue offering Curbside, so they can feel comfortable checking out books and other materials. This tells me that the Library needs to serve patrons in multiple ways."

Beginning next week, the Library building will be open for public use on Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday mornings, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Curbside Pickup Service will be offered on Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday afternoons, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Library building will be closed at the times Curbside Pickup Service is offered, but Library staff will continue to answer the phone, pull holds, and do other behind-the-scenes work.

The Library’s wi-fi can be accessed from the parking lot when the building is open and when Curbside is offered. Patrons wanting Curbside Pickup Service can request books and other materials at least 48 hours in advance by placing holds in the Library’s online catalog, by messaging the Library through Facebook or the online catalog, by calling the Library at 573-221-0222, or by sending an email to ref@hannibal.lib.mo.us. To place holds or update library cards, patrons can call the Library.

The Library will continue to issue temporary library cards over the phone. After a hold is placed, Library staff will search the collection, find the items, call the patron, and check out the item to the patron. A time slot will be designated. Patrons who discover later that they cannot pick up their items in the agreed time slot are asked to call the Library to make other arrangements.

The Library’s Curbside Pickup Service is provided at the back of the building through the fire door. Staff will bring items to patrons’ cars during reserved time periods. The Library’s exterior book drops are open. Because of recommended COVID-19 precautions, the Library now holds returned materials for seven days before checking them in and returning them to circulation.

The Library is sending out overdue and billing notices again, although the Library will no longer charge fines for late return of materials. Books and other materials are still due and should be returned on time.