Limited Services Now Available at the Free Library!

By Administrator RSS Mon, July 27, 2020

The last several months have felt and looked different for all of us, and we have missed seeing you all in our neighborhood libraries. While the Free Library continues to follow federal, state, health, and local guidelines to help manage the spread of COVID-19 and our buildings remain closed to the public for now, several services across our system are expanding.

Here’s what you can expect to see in a neighborhood near you:

Some Free Library locations are now offering limited services, including returns, material pickups, and phone reference.
Visit our new Limited Services page to see what’s available at your neighborhood library. This page is updated daily, so please check it regularly!

Beginning today, July 27, you can place new holds with the Free Library.
Sign in to our catalog with your library card number and PIN to place a hold online, or call your neighborhood library to place a hold over the phone. Once your materials are ready, we’ll contact you to schedule a pickup appointment.

Our newest remote resource is now in action: a Free Library call center!
Patrons can call five days a week to speak with our expert staff, who will provide information, technology help, Library updates, and more. Calling is free! Give us a ring at 1-833-TALK FLP (825-5357). We’re here Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10:00 a.m.–3 p.m., and Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.


Many Free Library programs continue to proceed virtually, and we continue to offer robust digital resources that you can access anywhere with your library card, including ebooks, audiobooks, movies, TV, music, over 100 databases, and the New York Times online.

As a reminder, there are other important ways to stay informed:

 

When we have additional updates to share, we will do so right here on our blog and on social media – until then, we hope you’ll take advantage of the above services! See you soon!

You can now place new holds in our catalog! Place your hold online or call your neighborhood library.
You can now place new holds in our catalog! Place your hold online or call your neighborhood library.
Some Free Library locations are now offering limited services, including returns, material pickups, and phone reference.
Some Free Library locations are now offering limited services, including returns, material pickups, and phone reference.
Call 1-833-TALK FLP (825-5357), our new helpline available five days a week, for information, assistance, updates, and more.
Call 1-833-TALK FLP (825-5357), our new helpline available five days a week, for information, assistance, updates, and more.
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Shout out to whoever designed those digital illustrations, they are VERY cute!
N.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
I agree with N!
Kate - Philadelphia
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Really miss our wonderful libraries. Are there any volunteer opportunities or needs? Abington has instituted 'drive up services'. Are there any such ideas for Philadelphia?
Avis Mudrak - West Oak Lane
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Yes beautiful graphics! Dear Avis:: Expect some changes to our volunteering policy due to covid. The information is accessible from the main website type "volunteer services" into the search field, make sure website not catalogue is selected. That has all the volunteer form. As for "Drive Up"...depending on the parking availability outside our center city and other locations that should be doable to pay for 20min parking while picking up your requested holds. Please remember there is an extra step involved in the holds pick up. Once you receive an email notification you should contact the branch to schedule your pick up time appointment in a 100% "to go" or "walk up" style. I hope that answers your question.
elle boogie - Center City
Saturday, August 1, 2020
Yes beautiful graphics! Dear A:: Expect some changes to our volunteering policy due to covid. Information is accessible from the homepage. Type "volunteer services" into the search field, make sure website not catalog is selected. That has the volunteer forms. As for "Drive Up"...depending on the parking availability outside our center city and other locations that should be doable to pay for 20min parking while picking up your requested holds. Please remember there is an extra step involved in the holds pick up. Once you receive an email notification you should contact the branch to schedule your pick up time appointment in a 100% "to go" or "walk up" style. Thank you for volunteering and your continued patronage!
ellenshka - Center City
Saturday, August 1, 2020
Hi, I put materials on hold and had Queen as my pickup library. But I can't tell if they are open for pickup. Should I change to another pickup library? How would I do that? Thanks!!
Anne Weiss - Graduate Hospital
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Good article. And thanks for sharing this information.
Celcom Africa Bulk SMS - Nairobi
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Lauding the graphics of a long-shuttered system when dentists, SEPTA and MAB paints have figured how to accommodate patients/riders/customers is akin to commenting on newly-made beds in a burning house. Branches trying to serve patrons last week are closed this week. Is Siobhan still pulling strings from her far dark, 'we had to destroy those branches to save them' corner?
Jerry Briggs - Mayfail (sic)
Friday, August 7, 2020
How do I join the library. I belong in Pottsville pa
Sandra Bosche - Philadelphia
Friday, August 7, 2020
Folks, be advised: Just because your local branch says they're accepting returns doesn't mean you can walk over there and return your books whenever you want. Just had a frustrating morning lugging my own body weight in books clear out to the library, excited to read them on the list of branches accepting returns. There's no book drop and there's a printed calendar of timeslots to return books from last week. So back home, my borrowed books and I. Don't make this mistake!
Cara - Philadelphia
Saturday, August 8, 2020
Thank you for all other virtual and digital services. I look forward to coming to the Library soon.
Marilyn Grier - Walnut West Library
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
I understand that there's a pandemic. I also understand that other libraries in other cities have reopened. How long are you planning to stay closed? Until there's a vaccine? That's an abdication of your responsibility to the public and to the City. Please step up.
Z - South Philly
Thursday, August 20, 2020
I have ILL and regular books that have Aug 31st due date. Are you going to update the due dates again? Nothing is open, and I totally understand about why you are closed. I haven't been out more than a few times. People gotta all stay safe for 2 weeks for all transmission to stop.
Jay - NE
Sunday, August 30, 2020
And I'm not going all the way across the other end of the city to the locations that are open.
Jay - NE
Sunday, August 30, 2020

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