Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel – as well as its Sharpsburg branch – will reopen to the public on Thursday.
No appointment is necessary but visits will be limited to one hour each.
“When we reopened for a limited time back in October, people were so thrilled to be able to use the library in a more typical way again,” executive director Jill McConnell said. “I expect we will see the same response this time around.”
Cooper-Siegel is at 403 Fox Chapel Road. Temporary hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Sharpsburg Community Library is at 1212 Main St. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Both sites will be open for limited in-person services that include browsing book stacks and using the computers.
In-person programs that include STEAM classes and book clubs will be outdoors only.
Staff at each location implemented curbside pickps in June 2020 so that people could still access book borrowing. Those operations will continue for people who feel more comfortable that way, McConnell said.
In October, when covid-19 cases were declining throughout the region, the libraries opened for limited in-person use, but that ended just before Thanksgiving when cases ramped up.
McConnell credited the April 1 opening to the availability of the covid-19 vaccine but said patrons will still need to follow mitigation strategies.
Everyone age 2 and older will have to wear a mask inside the buildings. There will be hand sanitizer stations for use.
McConnell said floor markers will indicate safe social distancing and one-way traffic flow between the bookshelves. During their hour-long visits, people will also be able to use the printers and purchase items from the book sale shelves. However, meeting rooms, toys and puzzles will be off limits.
