The latest in Grafton takeout? Library books, starting Monday
The Grafton Public Library will move into Phase 1, Step 2 and begin to circulate materials via NO-CONTACT TAKEOUT from the porch beginning Monday July 13, weather permitting. This estimated date is subject to change or suspend, pending availability of PPE. Plans may shift with new COVID-19 data.
The library will continue to offer home delivery service for aged, infirm or incapacitated Grafton residents as capacity allows. Sign up at https://graftonlibrary.org/home-delivery/.
If you would like to request an item, you can:
- Call the Library at 508-839-4649 between 10am-4pm, Mon-Sat. Please leave a message with your name and phone number.
- Email graftonlibrary-ma@gmail.com or info@graftonlibrary.org – please include your name, card number, phone number, and the request.
- Message the Library on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GraftonPublicLibraryMA/ include your name and card number.
- Log on to your library account at http://grafton.cwmars.org to place a hold. If the item is AVAILABLE in Grafton, please select “Copy hold.” Select “Grafton” for your pickup location. The C/W MARS network has instructions for how to search for items, place a hold using our Evergreen catalog, and how to manage your library account online – visit https://www.cwmars.org/help/catalogaccount-help.
- Ask a librarian to place holds for you (they are more than happy to do it!)
You do not have to have a specific author/title subject request. Library staff are also happy to pull together a collection of materials to delight, entertain, and inform based on reading interest, format, and age.
Once your hold is placed, library staff will call you directly to notify you of the availability of your items and to schedule a pick up window: between 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Be patient — holds from March first will be fulfilled first and may need a day or two to locate items. You may log into your account online and see that holds have arrived, but this does not mean items are actually available for pickup.
When you arrive to pick up your items:
- Items will be waiting under your last name on the covered porch.
- Wear a face covering from your car to the pickup location and back. If you cannot wear a mask or face covering, please give a call and we will make a reasonable accommodation for you.
- Observe social distancing. If you see another patron picking up their items, please stay at least 6 feet apart and give them space. We will provide markings for your convenience.
- Help yourself to hand-sanitizer before touching items, including railings, the book cart, etc.
- Do not walk into the library, even if the door is open.
- Do not approach staff.
- Do not show up unscheduled.
Only staff and trained volunteers will have handled your requested items. All precautions are being taken to provide a safe and healthy environment, including quarantining items between patrons, sanitizing surfaces, washing hands frequently, and not working if feeling ill or in contact with anyone with COVID-19 symptoms. If you would like to take additional precautions, the Institute of Museums and Libraries has conducted independent research and recommends quarantining items for 72 hours upon receipt, and you may feel more comfortable setting your bag of items aside for a few days.
Books will be checked out to you when you pick them up. Please note that materials are not due until Sept 1, 2020, and overdue fines are waived.
For more information, visit the Grafton Public Library website.
Please continue to wash your hands regularly and if you have any flu-like symptoms, stay home until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours without medication. Check the website for a list of resources for students and for self-quarantined adults.
