La Salle Public Library reopens

The La Salle Public Library has reopened its doors.

Patrons can gain access to the building, either at the Marquette Street entrance or at the west side fire door, off of the library’s parking lot, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Face masks are required for any person older than 2.

If users want to browse the adult and young adult collection for up to 15 minutes, make photocopies, fax and register for a library card, they will need to use the Marquette Street entrance. If users need handicapped access, want to browse the children’s collection for up to 15 minutes, or use the computer for up to 30 minutes, they will need to come to the west side fire door off the parking lot.

There will be a doorbell that users can ring for service. Users can check out two DVDs per week and three new adult fiction titles per person. Children 12-years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult. One adult and their immediate family members are welcome to browse the children’s collection while only one family will be allowed to browse the children’s collection at a time.

As it has done since March, the library will continue to offer live, virtual programming, access to e-Books and audio books, full-text articles, and genealogy research through Heritage Quest. Based on availability, staff will deliver materials to anyone living within La Salle city limits.

Since many of the Library patrons have expressed concerns about health and safety, the library will continue to offer curbside service. To arrange curbside pickup, at the Third Street entrance, call the library at 815-223-2341. All library materials need to be returned in the outdoor book drops located at the Third Street entrance. Staff will be quarantining incoming library materials for seven days before allowing material to circulate again.

Finally, the library had a staff member who just returned from quarantine. Per the La Salle County Health Department, the staff member was tested after the quarantine and tested negative. If any staff member is exposed to the virus and needs to be quarantined, the library may need to roll back services.