First, you’ll be happy to know that patrons are now able to place holds in our online catalog again and deliveries between MHLS libraries have resumed.
But, that’s not all!
We are thrilled to announce that patrons may now enter the library to pick up their holds or to browse the shelves for books, audiobooks, and dvds! To help maintain social distancing we will be limiting the number of patrons in the library at any given time. Face masks are required when visiting the library. We ask that you please limit your visit to 15 minutes to keep patrons moving in and out of the library during this time.
A computer will be available for patrons to use for 15 minutes at a time and printing, faxing, copying, and scanning services will all be available.
Please place all returned items in the book return. Do not hand them to a clerk or place them on the desk. They will be quarantined for three days, then checked in. No late fees will apply as items will be backdated as they are checked in after the quarantine period.
Curbside pickup will continue to be offered for those patrons who do not wish to enter the library.
How Does It Work?
1. Order by phone 845-868-1341 (Have your library card available when you call)
2. Get a pickup time window
3. Arrive at the library at the designated time with your library card
4. Call the library from the parking lot and follow all pickup instructions as directed
Curbside pickup will be available during our normal business hours:
Monday & Wednesday 9:00am – 12:00pm and 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday 9:00am – 2:00pm
For the safety of our staff as well as our patrons, all items are to be returned using the outside book drop; staff are not permitted to bring them in from a patron’s car.
For those of you who prefer to stay at home, our virtual library is still open 24/7. Visit us online to take advantage of our many wonderful services like e-books and e-audibooks through Overdrive/Libby, children’s books on Tumblebooks, Kanopy film streaming, or online courses through Universal Class and language learning with Mango. Or check out our newest offering of high-quality, on-trend arts and crafts instructional videos via Creativebug.
We are not yet able to resume our in-person programs but we hope that you will continue to take advantage of our virtual programs. We will continue to share updates with you here as well as email and via Facebook. If you have questions, feel free to call us at (845) 868-1341 or send an email to stanfordlibrary@optonline.net
The health and safety of our patrons and staff is a top priority and we have planned each step of this reopening with this in mind. Our guidance for this phased reopening comes from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention), NY Sate and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Dutchess County, NYLA (New York Library Association), and the Mid-Hudson Library System. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding. This is new territory for all of us and we promise that we will continue to do our very best to serve you!