All Madison Public Libraries will begin accepting returns of library materials starting on Tuesday, May 26 and all items checked out on or before March 17 are due on Aug. 1, the City of Madison announced today. No fines will be assessed before August 1.
Central Library’s materials return opened at 9 a.m. today and will remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Fairchild Street entrance. The Mifflin Street materials return will be closed to accommodate social distancing for curbside pickup service.
“Opening library materials returns is the next phase of our plan to gradually and safely restore library service,” said library director Greg Mickells in a statement. “Using the new Forward Dane plan as a guide, Madison Public Library is continuing to plan and prepare our library buildings for when we are able to reopen our doors. The safety of the public and our staff remains our top priority.”
Madison’s eight neighborhood libraries will accept returns on a limited basis, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. At these libraries, library customers are asked to place returns in temporary carts near the permanent book drop. These temporary return carts allow for touchless return and easy quarantining of materials. Return service may be temporarily suspended in case of inclement weather.
While library buildings remain closed, librarians are working remotely to answer library and community questions.
