South Hills libraries working toward resuming operations

Allegheny County moved into the green phase of reopening June 5, but some South Hills libraries’ doors will remain closed — for the time being.

Staff returned to the Pleasant Hills Public Library building June 1 to prepare for reopening and to get new computer equipment installed.

The library’s book drop opened June 9 and is operating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays so the staff can handle the “deluge of returned items,” said Sharon Julian-Milas, library director.

Fines are being waived in an effort to get the materials back, Julian-Milas said.

She said returned materials have to be quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours before they can be processed and returned to the shelves.

“We have to quarantine items separately, label and date them, and having staff trying to do things doesn’t leave space for social distancing,” she said.

The library began taking phone requests for books June 15 — but those requests will be limited to what Pleasant Hills has in stock, as the Allegheny County Library Association’s interlibrary system will not yet be in operation.

Brentwood Library’s doors also will remain closed despite the green label. “We are still trying to incorporate the new health and safety standards into our local and shared services,” director Dennis Luther said.

Brentwood has extended due dates on all material to July 1.

Like most libraries, Brentwood is offering materials online via apps such as Libby and Hoopla.

While staff returned to Whitehall Public Library’s building June 8, curbside delivery won’t begin until July 15. But, library director Paula Kelly said the library’s book drop has been unlocked to accept returns.

Curbside pickup hours at Whitehall will be limited to noon to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, though staff will be available to take phone calls from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

“Patrons will pull into a designated pickup parking spot then notify the library via phone and open the trunk of their vehicle. Library staff will deliver their bagged items to the trunk,” Kelly said.

Whitehall’s children’s library will be making family book bundles and take-home arts and crafts projects that will be delivered in the same manner.

While none of the three libraries could say for sure when their doors would actually open to the public, Julian-Milas said she is optimistically thinking that at some point in July it will be open by appointment only, to control the number of people. At that time, she said computers also would be available for use.

For the most up-to-date information on your local library, visit its website or social media pages.

“Like everything else with the pandemic, reopening has been a flexible and fluid situation,” Julian-Milas said.