One step back…

Due to an increase of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Onondaga County, Maxwell’s Board of Trustees has decided to take the precautionary step of temporarily limiting library access to curbside pickup only. Starting Monday, December 21, Maxwell will be closed for browsing, computer and printing use, programs, and study room reservations. This policy will remain in place until at least January 16, when it will be reevaluated at the next Board meeting.

We know this comes as a disappointment to those who have welcomed the chance to visit the library closer to the way they did a year ago, but safeguarding the health of our patrons, staff, and the larger community is the primary concern.

Most of you have become very comfortable with curbside pickup, and that procedure remains the same. Patrons are encouraged to access their library accounts online at www.onlib.org to search for and place reserves on library materials. Those without internet access may call the library at 315-672-3661 during regular hours for assistance with placing holds and with reader’s advisory. Automated notifications are running well, so you will receive a call, text, or email when your items are here. Just give us a call during our open hours so we can arrange a day and time for you to pick up your reserves.

Please be patient if the line is busy. We only have one line, so please call back or leave us a message and we will return your call. Pickup will be by appointment only. Staff will check the items out to the you during the phone call, and the items will be placed on a cart in the vestibule. Just enter the vestibule, find your items (wrapped in paper with your last name and first initial written on the top), take them and that’s it.

Please exit the building once you have your packet so the next person can come in. Only one person should be in the vestibule at any given time. Per New York State COVID-19 protocols, wearing of face masks and maintaining correct social distancing is required. Accommodations for ADA compliance can be made by calling us at 315-672-3661 or emailing director@maxwellmemoriallibrary.org before coming to the library.

Please do not bring any returns or donations inside the vestibule, unless you have made special arrangements with Maxwell staff for fragile items such as Chromebooks or large kits. All returns must go in the outdoor book drop to the right of the main door. Please do not leave anything on the porch—it will be discarded.

As part of the effort to slow the spread of the virus, all returned items will be placed in quarantine for at least seven days. This means that they will not be checked in until after the quarantine period. At that time, the computers will be set to reflect the actual return date (when the items were put in the book drop) and not the check in date. No fines will accrue.

Temporary hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. We are closed Sundays. Check our website for holiday and weather-related closings.

Even though browsing our shelves in person isn’t possible right now, we encourage you to get familiar with a great feature on our website. Did you know that we add just about every new book or movie to our On the Shelf page? The Desk List has the most popular adult titles, but we have lists for new adult books, new large print books, new movies, new audiobooks, and now new children's and young adult books as well. The links for the individual titles take you right to the library's online catalog, so you can reserve any that look interesting. Browse from home and stay safe!

If you don’t have access to a computer printer and need something printed, please read about our printing pick-up service here.

Maxwell Library hopes to welcome the community back into the building as soon as it is safe. In the meantime, we are happy that we can continue bringing you the books and movies you want. We remind you that you always have access to thousands of books, audiobooks, movies, magazines, and music through OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla with your library card. The extensive database at www.onlib.org provides you with free tools for learning and research. And while our in-person programming is on hold for now, we are providing virtual programs and activities for children and adults, from story times and crafts to book discussions and workshops.

Stay safe!  All the staff and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Alyssa Ali
Director, Maxwell Memorial Library