The Southbury Public Library will reopen on Saturdays, 9:30am – 4:00pm, beginning on Saturday, October 3rd. The library’s current weekly hours of Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm and Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30am - 6:30pm will also continue. In addition to the new Saturday hours, the Children’s Department will continue its current hours of Monday – Friday 9:30-4:30pm. Visitor capacity is limited to 35. Patrons are asked to plan for visits no longer than 30 minutes. Masks are required to be worn at all times and social distancing of at least 6 feet needs to be observed. Hand sanitizer is provided at the Main Entrance and at other locations including the checkout desk. Anyone who is not comfortable entering the library should call the Reference Department at 203-262-0626 x 130 for an alternative service.
The book returns inside the building are not available; patrons are asked to return all items to the outside book return. All returned items are quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours before they can be checked out again.
Library patrons can pick up holds, check out books and other materials, and browse the stacks. The Gloria Cachion Art Gallery is open for all to enjoy the new monthly exhibits in house and on-line. The self-service public copier, scanner, and print station are available. Exact change is requested. Computers are available for 30 minute time periods, one session per person, per day. The first floor tables are available for a 30 minute time period.
Online eBook services are available on the library’s new website www.southburylibrary.org/ebooks. Patrons are encouraged to use the online library card application for new cards and to call the library for renewal of cards.
The Friends of the Southbury Public Library are sponsoring many of the fun virtual programs found on the website www.southburylibrary.org/events. In addition, the Friends book sale area in the lobby is now open. Gift-quality books, boutique items, and audiovisual vinyl records, CDs and DVDs are available. The sale will continue through the holiday season. Exact change is requested or checks as the library staff cannot make change and the Friends cannot accept credit cards for this sale.
Some of the library’s services remain unavailable due to COVID restrictions. The fax machine, self-checkout machines, lounging chairs, water fountains, coffee machine, tables, second floor tables, and meeting rooms are not available.