Just in time for summer reading season, the libraries in Alexandria and Southeast Fairfax County have a plan to start providing services again.
Staff has already returned to buildings in the City of Alexandria to prepare holds and set up the spaces for physical distancing.
Residents may be able to start picking up previous holds curbside starting, likely, on June 15.
New holds will start being accepted later in the month, and residents will be able to pay any past due late fees online. (The library plans to announce an amnesty period for patrons.)
The library buildings may not reopen to the public until the third phase of the state’s “Forward Virginia” plan, and when they do reopen there will be significantly reduced capacity for library patrons.
More about the City of Alexandria’s library reopening plan is available here.
In Fairfax County, curbside pickup of previous holds is already available.
When Fairfax County Public Libraries closed, there were more than 500,000 books checked out. To slow the flow of returns to a manageable rate, patrons may return checked out book by the first letter of their last name. Residents with last names beginning with the letters A through H may return Mondays, I through Q can return Wednesday, and R through Z can return Fridays.
Hold pick-up dates are being extended, and the libraries are not accepting donations at this time.
More information about Fairfax County’s library reopening plan is here.
Throughout the pandemic, both library systems have been offering a variety of online resources and virtual programs. Visit your library’s website for more information on summer programs.
Related: Kick Off Your Summer Reading
