Library branches embrace the curbside delivery approach
Patrons of the county’s library system can now arrange to have items picked up from each of the organization’s three branches. (Duncan Adams/The Western News)
A mandate to stay home could have been a book lover’s dream.
For once, time was not the enemy and guilt about idle pursuits was quarantined.
But a couple of nagging realities tied to COVID-19 cast a shadow over what might have been a bibliophile’s holiday.
First, the three branches of the Lincoln County Library system shut down in mid-March. Then, Amazon.com’s delivery times for books and other non-essentials went from prompt to protracted.
So, unless a devoted reader had a stack of unread books on hand he or she faced dry spells.
A measure of relief came Tuesday. That’s when library branches in Libby, Troy and Eureka began offering curbside delivery. The service will be offered Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Library patrons can select a book online and place a hold on their choice at lincolncountylibraries.com or by calling (406) 293-2778. To hold a book online, the user name is a person’s 14-digit library card number and the default pin is CHANGEME.
Staff will alert patrons when items are available for pick up. Customers are instructed to park at the “curbside delivery” sign, call the library and wait for the hand-off.
This approach to book lending will continue for the foreseeable future.
Call it a movable feast.
Meanwhile, Alyssa Ramirez, director of the Lincoln County Library system, said staff at the three branches remained busy during the closing with projects intended to improve customer service and branch appearance.
In both Libby and Eureka, staff weeded out books that haven’t been circulating. In Libby, new carpet was installed downstairs and the kid’s room “received a face lift due to a $5,000 grant from the Headwaters Foundation,” Ramirez said.