The Orange County Public Libraries system opened its doors to visitors this week for the first time in more than six months and kids and adults returned to explore the entertainment and information that has been stored away on shelves for far too long.
With coronavirus restrictions easing in the county, libraries are now permitted to reopen and the county branches are doing so with a new “Grab and Go” service. Some cities run their own library systems, which may also choose to reopen.
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Books sit in quarantine at the Tustin Library in Tustin, CA on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Books that are returned stay in quarantine for 5 days before they are put back into circulation. Orange County Public Libraries reopened for in-person visits on Tuesday after being closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Library Assistant Bonnie Braithwaite puts books back on the shelves at the Tustin Library in Tustin, CA on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. A large portion of the library is closed but patrons can look up books and have a staff member retrieve them. Orange County Public Libraries reopened for in-person visits on Tuesday after being closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The Tustin Library in Tustin, CA reopened on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Orange County Public Libraries reopened for in-person visits on Tuesday after being closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Michael Bonnot looks over books at the Tustin Library in Tustin, CA on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Orange County Public Libraries reopened on Tuesday after being closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. Bonnot said he visits the library almost every day to get books for him and his wife. A large portion of the library is closed but patrons can look up books and have a staff member retrieve them. There are also displays of new and popular books. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The Tustin Library in Tustin, CA reopened on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Orange County Public Libraries reopened on Tuesday after being closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. A large portion of the library is closed but patrons can look up books and have a staff member retrieve them. There are also displays of new and popular books. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Masks, social distancing and a plexiglass barrier, as well as other safety measures, are in place at the Tustin Library in Tustin, CA on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Orange County Public Libraries reopened on Tuesday after being closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Branch Manager Samantha Smith shows books to Jennie Subnick at the Tustin Library in Tustin, CA on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Orange County Public Libraries reopened for in-person visits on Tuesday after being closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. A large portion of the library is closed but patrons can look up books and have a staff member retrieve them. There are also displays of new and popular books. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Soren Mitchell looks at books at the Tustin Library in Tustin, CA on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Orange County Public Libraries reopened for in-person visits on Tuesday after being closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Library Assistant Steven Reyes puts books in quarantine at the Tustin Library in Tustin, CA on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Books that are returned stay in quarantine for 5 days before they are put back into circulation. Orange County Public Libraries reopened on Tuesday after being closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Sarah Phillips and her kids, Caleb, Kaitlyn and Ainsley, look at books at the Tustin Library in Tustin, CA on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Orange County Public Libraries reopened for in-person visits on Tuesday after being closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
OC Libraries’ branches are limiting their occupancy at 50%, but the new service will allow people to browse for books while following safe physical distancing guidelines along with wearing required masks upon entrance. There is a designated self-service checkout for popular items and books on hold to limit one-on-one interaction.
“Besides getting me out of the house, it’s nice to be able to physically pick out a book,” said Michael Bonnot, of Tustin, for whom almost daily visits to the local branch were part of his pre-COVID life. He said gets books for him and his wife, who reads about a book a day.
Contact-less drive-thru to pick up and drop off books will still continue and computers will also be provided upon reservation for a limit of one hour.
“Everybody has said that the public has been happy, very receptive,” said David Lopez, spokesman for the county system. “They’ve really enjoyed being able to come in and browse their own books as well as use the computers.”
For people who don’t have internet access at home, the libraries’ reopening provides access to computers in order to have that service.
“I really think that’s the most important thing about libraries, is that we are more than just books,” Lopez said. “We give people access to digital resources, databases, access to computers so that they can find information so that they can apply for jobs, so that they can pay for their bills online, so that they can get their lives in order for quality of life.”
Along with providing services for the community, OC Libraries has also created fun virtual programs such as online storytime, crafting and cooking demos and other activities to keep kids engaged during distance learning.
“I definitely think the need for libraries won’t go away, I think the way that people will utilize libraries in the future will definitely change based on how the world is changing,” Lopez said. “We will also adapt to meet those needs.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, OC Libraries held one of its first public events at the Westminster Library as part of a “Back to School” outreach program with OC READ. The events provide free books and crafts to families while they remained safely in their vehicles.
Upcoming “Back to School” events will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Garden Grove Main Library, on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Garden Grove Chapman Library, and on Thursday, Oct. 1, at the La Habra Library.
The “Grab and Go” service runs five days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
“People will still want physical books,” Lopez said. “People will still want to be able to go into a space so that they can access those institutions with their families, with their friends, their community so that people can feel a part of their home.”
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