Curbside Pickup Library Service

Maw, Laura 

LM 

Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries. (2020, June 17). Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries to begin curbside services, Tuesday June 23rd, 2020, at select locations [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.nlpl.ca/cus_scripts/pdf/NLPL-to-begin-curbside-services.pdf 

Curbside pickup services are the beginning of the Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries building reopening services. Library branches are coming into the curbside service using a phased approach, with four branches starting. With this service, patrons can access their library’s physical collection again through a contactless service, where patrons order their materials online and pick them up by drive-thru service at their local branch. Drive-thru pick up appointment times are assigned. All returned materials are being quarantined for 72 hours to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

I think this is an innovative way to allow patrons to access their library’s physical collection while still maintaining staff and community safety during the pandemic. I wonder if people may get used to the convenience of a drive-thru service and request to keep the service after the pandemic is over. This also seems like an excellent way to make libraries more accessible to people with mobility disabilities, where the physical building may be difficult to access.