Maricopa County Library District is offering a new curbside service to customers at 16 libraries across the county.
When Maricopa County closed its libraries in mid-March to comply with social distancing orders, it expanded digital services. But librarians knew many customers didn’t have the technology needed to access e-books or video story times.
“We wanted to be able to still offer our customers those physical items, especially for those who aren’t able to access our digital materials,” said Erin MacFarlane customer experience administrator with the district.
Now, customers will be able to check out physical items over the phone or online, pull up to their library branch, and a staff member wearing protective gear will place the items directly into customers’ cars.
“The librarian closes the trunk and then off the customer goes, so there’s absolutely no physical contact between the customer and the library staff member,” MacFarlane said.
Returned materials will be quarantined for 72 hours before they can be checked out again.
The program recently launched to allow customers to pick up the 17,000 items that had been on hold when the libraries closed. Customers will be able to place new holds on items starting May 4.
Participating Libraries
- Aguila
- Asante
- Ed Robson
- El Mirage
- Fountain Hills
- Gila Bend
- Goodyear
- Guadalupe
- Litchfield Park
- North Valley Regional
- Northwest Regional
- Perry
- Queen Creek
- Southeast Regional
- Sun City
- White Tank
