All Ages

Library opens to the public for limited services

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Library Director Myra R. Oleynik shared the following message on Friday, June 26, 2020.

Great news! The Peters Township Public Library will open its doors to the public with limitations on Monday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m.  As we work to provide you with safe, in-person services, we ask for your patience and support. Please understand that all services are not available yet.  Programs and library clubs are on pause and will not be meeting for now. Library volunteers have not been contacted to help. Visit our events calendar for the dates and times of virtual programming. And there is still time to register for our Virtual Summer Reading Program for all ages with Reader Zone.

Other changes for you to be aware of:

•   Our summer hours through September 8 will be Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4.

•   For your safety, our staff will be wearing masks. We urge you to wear a mask to protect us and other visitors.

•   Staff will disinfect high-touch areas regularly. Scheduled evening cleanings will continue. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the library. No food or drink permitted.

•   In the Green Phase, we are under a limited capacity order. During your visit, you will see occupancy limit signs posted throughout the building.  Please select your items for check out quickly so we may serve as many people as possible throughout the day.

•   We have moved furniture maintaining social distancing practices, and no tutoring will be permitted at this time.

•   One person per study room by checking in with a WAGGIN card for a one-hour session per day. Staff members will disinfect the study room tables between each use.

•   We will quarantine all returned materials for at least 72 hours before check-in by staff. Items will remain on your account during the quarantine time frame. Materials on shelves and displays are “out of quarantine.” A person browsing may have touched them. Keep your hands clean by using the hand sanitizer provided and avoid touching your face.

•   Our book drop will remain closed but you can drop off materials in a plastic bag in our RETURN BINS during library hours.  We are not able to accept book donations.

•   Four computers on the 2nd floor have been socially distanced and will be available for public use. Schedule an appointment with your WAGGIN card 24 hours in advance. One 45-minute session per day depending upon availability. Call the Reference Desk during library hours at 724.941.9430 #2. Please bring your own headset and WAGGIN barcode to log in. Staff members will disinfect keyboards and mice between each use. We are unable to offer any personal help while using library computers.

•   The Youth Services Department will be open for browsing. The Family Activity Center and Teen Room are unavailable. We have removed all toys, puppets, and puzzles.  Book Bundles will be available for your convenience. Youth Services computers will not be available.

•   The Meeting Room, Reading Room, Conference Room, and Café Lee remain closed. We are currently not accepting room reservation requests.

•   No fines charged for overdue items through September 8. You can make a payment for lost or damaged items by credit card in person or by calling 724.941.9430 #5771.

•   You can place a hold/request on items from our library catalog here. We will continue to offer our curbside pickup service by calling 724.941.9430 #1 to schedule. We are unable to request materials from other libraries at this time.

•   For further updates please sign up for our e-newsletter or follow us on social media.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Lobby opens for hold pickup only

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Updated Monday, June 22, 2020, at 8:00 a.m.

The Peters Township Public Library lobby is open for hold pickup ONLY. If you received an email, text, or phone call from the library to notify you that your items are “READY”, you may visit our lobby during these designated times to pick up your items:

Monday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you prefer Curbside Pickup Service, call 724.941.9430 #5 and leave us a message. We will call you back to schedule an appointment during library hours.

Place holds/requests anytime for your desired materials through the WAGGIN online catalog. Have your library card number and PIN ready to place a request online.  Your PIN is usually the last 4 digits of your phone number.  If you need help accessing your library account, please email ptlib@ptlibrary.org to streamline this process.

Bins for RETURNS will be available during the library hours outlined above. Please bring your items to return in a plastic bag and place them inside the bin. All returned items are quarantined for 72 hours before being checked in.

All other areas in the library will remain closed to the public at this time. We are not able to accept book donations until further notice. Please do not put book donations in the RETURNS bins.

We will be wearing masks for you. Please wear your mask for us and practice social distancing during your visit to the library.

Questions? Email ptlib@ptlibrary.org.

The library enters the “Green Phase”

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Library Director Myra R. Oleynik sent out the following message on Thursday, June 4, 2020:

Dear PT Library Community,
As Washington County moves to the “green phase” on Friday, June 5, this is what you need to know right now about the Peters Township Public Library:

  • The library WILL NOT reopen to the public on Friday, June 5. We are awaiting further guidance from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries to adopt a phased-in approach for in-person library services. Staff will be returning and preparing the building and their workspace to abide by federal, state, and local health guidelines. We will be processing new library materials and offering help by phone at 724.941.9430 and email at ptlib@ptlibrary.org. 

  • Curbside Pickup Service will continue by appointment Monday through Saturday with an extended 3-week loan period. Review our Curbside Pickup details here.

  • We will be accepting returns. The outdoor book drop will remain closed, but returns may be dropped off in our RETURNS bins located at the library front entrance. We can accept returns on Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All returned materials will be quarantined for 72 hours.

  • Tax appointments are not being rescheduled. A limited supply of tax forms and instruction booklets are available on a table at our front entrance during RETURN hours.

  • We are not accepting book donations, meeting room applications, program proposals, or scheduling any library volunteers at this time.

  • All WAGGIN library cards have been renewed to December 31, 2020. 

  • At the moment, we are offering only virtual programs. We will announce these programs through our library newsletter (subscribe here), on the library Events Calendar, and the Peters Township Public Library Facebook page. Visit the library’s YouTube Channel for playlists which include all of our virtual programs. Virtual classes and programs will also be available via Zoom.

  • If you haven’t already done so, be sure to register for our virtual Summer Reading Program for ALL ages using Reader Zone. Learn more about the program here.

Please check your email for further updates about the official date for our phased reopening of the building and in-person library services. We appreciate your patience and look forward to safely serving you soon.

Myra R. Oleynik
Library Director

ALL AGES Summer Reading Program

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Consistent with our library’s mission to open books, doors, and minds, you are invited to become part of our new PTPL Summer Reading Program – for all ages!  

Due to the current health crisis, we are using a web-based program called Reader Zone for children and adults to track their reads this summer – no more paper logs to complete! We invite you to download the Reader Zone app for your Android or Apple device. If you prefer, you may go to the Reader Zone website from any internet-enabled device.  You will need our unique Reader Zone code gr53a to join the program.  Then start reading and track your titles!

Our Summer Reading Program starts on Monday, June 1 through to Saturday, August 15 with prizes and incentives along the way for all readers.  For readers 18 years and up, we’re setting a special goal for you – read 8 books this summer! You may read whatever you like, from novels to children’s books, e-books, and listening to audiobooks counts too!   You won’t have to worry about log sheets, and you’ll have all of your titles in one handy spot to share their book covers when others ask you, “Did you read anything good this summer?” 

Please contact Shannon Pauley, Head of Youth Services, at spauley@ptlibrary.org for more information.  This year’s program is being funded by The Peters Township Library Foundation.

Get the Reader Zone App!

App Store Google Play

Curbside Pickup Details

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Updated Monday, June 8, 2020:
We are happy to announce that in addition to our online e-resources and virtual programming, we continue to offer safe access to physical materials from the library through a curbside pickup service.  Place a hold and reserve items online through the WAGGIN catalog or by phone. As we are quarantining returned materials for 72 hours, please give us a few days to prepare your materials. Once you receive an email notification that your items are ready, please call 724.941.9430 #1 and let us know you would like to schedule a curbside pickup.

~ For faster service, place holds/requests anytime for your desired materials through the WAGGIN online catalog. Have your library card number and PIN ready to place a request online.  Your PIN is usually the last 4 digits of your phone number.  If you need help accessing your library account, please email ptlib@ptlibrary.org to streamline this process.

~ You can also call the library to place a hold. Call 724.941.9430 and Press #1 on Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays. Please leave a message if a staff member is not available for your call. 

~ Please give us at least 48 hours to gather and prepare your requests as we are operating with very limited staff.

~ When you receive an email that your items are ready, please call 724.941.9430 #1 to schedule a curbside pickup. You will be given a number that designates your reserved parking spot for contactless pickup.

~ You are welcome to bring materials to return with you when you come to pick up your requests.  Please place them in your trunk inside a plastic bag marked “RETURNS”. We recommend that you remove any breakable items from your trunk before your arrival.

~ At your scheduled pickup time, pull into your numbered parking spot. Pop open your trunk and remain in your car.

~ To provide contactless service, a library staff member will wear a mask and deliver your items in a bag directly to your trunk.  Any items bagged inside your trunk marked for “RETURNS” will be taken from your vehicle and quarantined for 3 days.

Watch this short video about our new Curbside Pickup Service. Sign up for our newsletter for the most up-to-date changes and follow us on Facebook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are you doing to protect the safety of library staff, library materials, and the community? 
All library materials returned will be quarantined for at least three days before being recirculated.  Social distancing will be practiced with only a limited number of staff in the building.  Staff will wear masks and take frequent breaks to wash their hands. Frequent cleaning of high-touch areas will be practiced.  Patrons and staff should not approach one another and respect the need for social distancing by remaining in their vehicles to provide for a safe pickup service.  

Do I need a library card?
Yes. You may apply for a library card online at WAGGIN Network. If you experience any problems, email ptlib@ptlibrary.org.                                                                              

May I request materials from other WAGGIN libraries?
Not at this time.  Holds are currently limited to what the Peters Township Library owns.  We cannot request books that are owned by other libraries at this time. Go to the Peters Township Library catalog here.

Do I need to get out of my car?
No, we ask that you remain in your car and pop open your trunk.  We will close your trunk after we deliver your materials to provide for a contactless pickup.

May I return items when I come for my pickup?
Yes.  Place them in a plastic bag inside your trunk marked “RETURNS”.  After we deliver your materials to your vehicle we will retrieve your returns from your trunk. 

May I return my items if I don’t have a pickup appointment?
Yes, The outdoor book drop will remain closed, but returns may be dropped off in our RETURNS bins located at the library front entrance. We can accept returns Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays. All returned materials will be quarantined for 72 hours.  Please bring your items to return in a plastic bag and place them inside the bin.  If you notice a patron at the “Returns Only” area, please respect social distancing and remain in your vehicle until the previous patron has returned to his/her vehicle.  

Do I need to wear a mask for pickup and dropoff?
For the safety of staff and all others, we ask that masks be worn by anyone who leaves his/her vehicle and who may come in contact with another person.

Which library materials may I get through curbside pickup?
Traditional library materials are available for curbside pickup with the exception of puppets. Video games – limit 1.

May I request items and pick them up on the same day?
Unfortunately, no. Due to limited staff, it will take time to collect requested items and prepare them for pickup.  We appreciate your patience. 

If I’m sick, may I still pick up items through the curbside service?
No. For the safety of library staff and our community, please do not schedule a curbside pickup if anyone in your household is ill. 

Is the Book Drop open?
No. For more information about returning items, see the question above May I return my items if I don’t have a pickup appointment?

How long will this service be available?
We will offer curbside pickup as long as it is considered safe to continue. Any changes to our services will be announced via the library email newsletter, social media, and on our website.

I still have some things checked out right now; when are they due?
Any items currently checked out will be due June 30, 2020. While we’ve been closed, all items were automatically renewed so no late fees are accruing.

How long may I keep my new items?
Items will now have a 3-week loan period.

I returned my items but why do they still appear on my account?
Since we are quarantining all returned materials for 3 days, it will take several days for your items to be checked-in and your record cleared.

May I drop off any book donations? 
No.  We appreciate your generosity, but we are unable to accept book donations at this time.

What if I still have questions?
We’re happy to help!  Email ptlib@ptlibrary.org.

What does moving to “yellow phase” mean for our library?

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Library Director Myra R. Oleynik sent out the following message on Thursday, May 14, 2020:

Dear PT Library Community,
It’s been 9 weeks since we had to close our doors to the public, and we sure do miss you! As Washington County moves to the “yellow phase” on Friday, May 15, this is what you need to know right now about the Peters Township Public Library:

The library WILL NOT reopen to the public on Friday. A limited number of staff are the only ones who are permitted to return to the library at this time. They will begin to prepare the building for new limited library services to the public. Once we receive approval from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, we plan to gradually offer curbside service and accept library returns. All returned materials will be quarantined.

There will be changes in daily operations. When we open, library hours will be limited. We will be abiding by federal, state, and local health guidelines to keep our staff and community safe. The outdoor book drop is closed. We cannot accept book donations.

The due date for all items currently checked out is June 30, 2020. This will allow extra time for you to return items during our limited open hours. 

All WAGGIN library cards have been renewed to December 31, 2020. If you have any questions about your library card, email ewolf@ptlibrary.org.

At the moment, we are offering only virtual programs. We will announce these programs through our library newsletter (subscribe here), on the library Events Calendar, and the Peters Township Public Library Facebook page. Visit the library’s YouTube Channel for playlists which include all of our virtual programming.

Coming Soon! Plans are also underway for our new ReaderZone app to keep your kiddos reading this summer!

Please check your email for further updates. We appreciate your patience while we await these guidelines from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries and look forward to safely serving you soon. Stay calm. Stay safe. Stay tuned.

Myra R. Oleynik
Library Director