Beginning March 1, the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) will expand services to include in-library browsing during limited Grab and Go Browsing hours. Curbside Service will continue to be available.
Grab and Go Browsing is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-6 p.m. and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays in Forks, Port Angeles and Sequim. It will be available in Clallam Bay on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Following updated guidance from the Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan, NOLS can offer limited in-library service up to 25 percent occupancy. Curbside service will remain the primary mode of service.
Masks are required for anyone entering NOLS facilities. Masks should be snug and fully cover nose and mouth. Masks are available for community members who do not have a mask. Curbside library service is available for patrons who are unable to wear a mask due to the exemptions listed in the Washington State Mask Mandate.
At this time, in-library services are limited to Grab and Go Browsing, use of the public copy machines, holds pickup, and checkout. Public computers are not yet available for use. Wi-Fi is available 24/7 in all NOLS branch parking lots, and laptops are available for checkout – to be used outside NOLS facilities. Patrons can continue to utilize free curbside printing by using the online form at nols.org/printing.
“This is a very exciting next step for NOLS,” said Noah Glaude, Library Director. Glaude continued, “The curbside services, online programming and resources, remote activities and outreach to the homebound Library staff have provided since the pandemic began has been extremely valuable to the community. We’ve heard dozens of positive comments during the 55,000 curbside visits patrons have made since June, and from the public through multiple surveys the Library has conducted during this time. Despite the positive response, none of those services truly replace the experience of being in the library. I’m looking forward to having people in each branch again and continuing to restore as many hours and services as possible.”
NOLS will continue to prioritize patron and staff safety during the pandemic, following public health guidelines closely. Additional services such as public computers will be rolled out carefully as local conditions, staffing and space in each library branch allows.
Beginning March 1, Curbside Service hours are:
Forks and Port Angeles
Monday – Friday — 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday — 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sequim
Due to space constraints, curbside services are limited during Grab and Go hours.
Monday Wednesday, Friday — 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday — 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturday — 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Clallam Bay
Monday – Wednesday — 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday – Friday — 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Outreach to the Homebound
Library staff can deliver books, DVDs, audiobooks, and other library materials to your home, if you are unable to come to the library, due to age, illness, or disability. Many people receiving home deliveries are older adults who can no longer drive or walk to the library, although this service is certainly not limited to seniors. Deliveries are made once or twice per month to individuals living at long-term care residences, personal homes, or apartments. This free service is available on a long-term or short-term basis. For more information, call 360-417-8500×7708 or visit nols.org/homebound-people.
For more information about the Library’s COVID-19 response and services currently being offered, visit www.nols.org/covid-19, call 360-417-8500, or email Discover@nols.org.
