With C.H. Booth Library closed until future notice to minimize the spread of COVID-19, a tent has been set up on the building’s front lawn, at 25 Main Street, to offer curbside service for its patrons.

Curbside service has been gearing up slowly, according to library director Douglas Lord, and more hours of operation will be offered starting the week of June 8.

“We have so much in addition to our online and virtual offerings,” Lord said, speaking of the books, films, books on CD, and music in the library’s collection.

All of those offerings are available by browsing the library’s card catalog online, he shared.

A description for the curbside service on the library’s website, chboothlibrary.org, reads, “Use any of the library’s means of communication to ask for materials Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. The best way is to use the [online] Evergreen catalog with your library card. You can text: 475-215-2754. You can call: 203-426-4533. You can chat right here on our website — just click ‘Ask A Librarian’ [located at the bottom right of the website]. You can e-mail: help@chboothlibrary.org. We are looking forward to fulfilling your requests!”

Lord said patrons can call the library to speak with a staff member for “readers advisory” for help in finding the next book to read.

Past requests for items are being honored. People who would like to cancel their active or on hold requests should do so, as it is helpful for library staff.

During the week of June 1, Lord said that the library was “working out kinks” in the curbside service, and he shared optimism that the process will work well. He expects to expand curbside service hours into some evenings and on Saturday for the week of June 8.

Safety precautions are being taken, according to Lord. All of the items in the library’s collection have been “quarantined’ for months. Items that are returned to the library from patrons will be quarantined and treated to disinfect them before they are returned to the collection.

How It Will Work

Once readers have selected an item or items from the catalog and placed their request through any of the ways mentioned above, Lord said patrons will choose a 10-minute window to pick up their requests from beneath the tent at the library.

The intent is for people to drive up and collect the items. A library staff member will “keep an eye” on the items from a safe distance. For anyone who has mobility issues, Lord said they can call, e-mail, or otherwise let the library know they will need assistance and someone will help.

The curbside service will be provided rain or shine, unless there is extreme weather, according to Lord.

Returning Items

According to a release from the library, starting June 8, return times for items will be Tuesdays from noon to 4 pm, Thursdays from 3 pm to 7 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm. Patrons should go to the back parking lot and drop off items in the designated area at those times. Return days will be dependent on the weather, so contact the library ahead of time to verify the return time is open if rain, thunderstorms, or other inclement weather is expected.