Children

Change in library services effective Monday, Nov. 30

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Dear PT Library Community,
Based on the Pennsylvania Department of Health recent stay at home advisory, we are taking the following actions to protect our community until further notice:

The library building will be open to the public on Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 and Saturday, Nov. 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The library building WILL CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC beginning Monday, Nov. 30. Library Staff will continue to work in the building to provide library materials and remote services Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This change will remain in effect until further notice.

Curbside Pickup Service will be available Monday through Saturday during library staff hours with an extended 3-week loan period. Please place your requests online for all items in the WAGGIN catalog. When you receive an email/text/phone call that your items are available, drive to the library, and park in any designated Curbside Pickup space in front of the building. Call 724.941.9430 #1 when you arrive. Library staff will deliver your items in a plastic bag to the trunk of your car.

Curbside Pickup Service will be available to pick up kits for Adult/Youth Services programming. After you register for a program, you will receive an email with pick up directions when your kit is ready.

We will be accepting returns. You can place library materials in a plastic bag in the black RETURNS bins located at the library front entrance during library staff hours. The outside Book Drop will be open when library staff is not in the building. We quarantine all returns for 72 hours.

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

The library computers will not be available during this time.

We will continue to offer programs virtually. 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 have questions, please email us at ptlib@ptlibrary.org.

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

Lacey Love, Library Director

Celebrate Your Right to Read!

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Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in both libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unpopular or challenging to their personal beliefs.

Banned Books Week was first launched in the 1980s and has grown to reach over 2 billion readers every year. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. Having these conversations and sharing this information is important. We hope that you will join us from September 27 through October 3 in exploring some of the diverse books that have been challenged in recent years. Please watch the video below created by PT Library staff to learn more!

Visit our Banned Books Display in the Main Lobby and take a few books with you to read! Learn more about Banned Books Week on these websites:

Banned Books Display

 

Library opens to the public for limited services

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UPDATED TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2020

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. By order of the Pennsylvania Department of Health under the Disease Prevention and Control Act, masks are mandatory in all public spaces. A library staff member can provide you with a mask if you have forgotten yours.

•   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.

•   Study rooms on the 2nd floor are temporarily closed and for staff use only.

•   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!

ALL AGES Summer Reading Program

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Updated Saturday, August 8, 2020: 

We only have 1 week left in our Summer Reading Challenge – that means only 1 week left to log your reading through Reader Zone!

Saturday, August 15 is the last day to log your reading. We will need a few days to compile all of the entries and pull the names of the winners. Winners will be contacted by email with directions to pick up their prizes. We ask that basket pickups take place within the week. You can come into the library or schedule a curbside pickup. We are not able to mail prize baskets.

Remember – if you have reached 50% of your goal, YOU GET A FREE PRIZE!

Swing by the library while we are open to pick up your Halfway Prize. Readers from Birth to Grade 12 also receive a Goody Bag after their first read so come get them!

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.

FAQ during the PT Library Covid-19 Closure

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UPDATED Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

From Library Director, Myra R. Oleynik

In anticipation of Governor Wolf’s most recent announcement that brings Washington County to the Yellow Phase, Peters Township Public Library has been carefully reviewing procedures for phasing in safe access to very limited public services.

Any plans will include precautions to create a safe environment for staff and patrons that adhere to local, state, and federal guidelines. These precautions would include the use of personal protective wear, social distancing, and quarantining returned materials.

We appreciate your patience while we work on the details for entering the Yellow Phase. Please check your email in the coming weeks or visit our website for important updates and details about any limited services we are able to offer you.   Stay calm. Stay safe. Stay tuned.  

Here is what we know for today, April 3, 2020.

How long will the library be closed? The library is closed until further notice. We will advise you of an open date as soon as we have that information.

Can you hand me a book at the door?  No. To ensure the health and safety of our staff and community, we are complying with a state directive to suspend all direct in-person services. 

When will programs and classes resume? We do not have that information at this time. It depends on when the library will reopen to the public. Visit us at ptlibrary.org for updates or follow us on Facebook and on Instagram .

I am getting email notices about overdue books and fines. What’s should I do? Please disregard those emails for now. No fines will be charged for overdue items during this emergency closure.

Should I return my materials to the outdoor Book Drop? No. The Book Drop is closed. Please keep all items until the library reopens. Please do not leave anything outside the building.

What happens to the books I have on hold? All items currently on the hold shelf will remain there until the library reopens. You will be given additional time to pick them up.

Can I place new requests to hold items for when you reopen?  We ask that you please refrain from placing new hold requests at this time. There is no library staff in the building to gather new hold requests.

Are you answering the library phone number?  You can call 724.941.9430 and press #4 to leave a message. A staff member will return your call as soon as possible.

What if I’m having a problem with library e-resources?     Email Ed Wolf directly at EWolf@PT-Library.org.

How can I access library resources from home? Visit  the library website to access online resources. Go to the Resources bar at the top of the page. The drop down menu helps you to navigate to Books & Audiobooks, Magazines & Newspapers, and Music & Movies. You can also link to a complete A to Z list of all resources and browse to see what is available.

What about my tax appointment? AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Sites Service has been suspended until further notice. AARP tax volunteers will contact you regarding rescheduling once it is determined when the library will reopen.

How do I get tax forms? Click here for Federal tax forms, instructions and publications. Click here for PA Department of Revenue forms and publications.

Stay home. Stay safe. Stay healthy.