NYC Libraries Re-Open with Grab-and-Go Service

New York City’s three library systems—The New York Public Library (NYPL), Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), and Queens Public Library (QPL) – are re-opening with grab-and-go service.

Limited operations across 22 branches in all five boroughs are set to begin on Monday, July 13, with new rules for social distancing and wearing face masks. Not all branches in all systems are re-opening.

The libraries have been shut down since mid-March, when museums, Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and other NYC destinations shut down.

Library fines remain on pause, and will not accrue on items checked out before temporary closure or during this first phase of reopening. Fines will not begin again until around Oct. 1.

New Rules for NYC Libraries

Visitors must wear face masks. This is mandatory, in accordance with NYC and NY State guidelines. No mask, no entry.

Visitors must physically distance themselves from staff and other patrons.

Visitors must respect capacity limits inside the open locations.

Visitors must leave the libraries as soon as their pickups or returns are complete.

There is no browsing, in-person reference, or computer use at this time.

All returned items will be quarantined for 72 hours before being recirculated, as per guidelines from public health experts.

New Yorkers with digital library cards – which are normally only able to check out digital materials – can use them to check out physical materials.

Some online programs continue as the libraries re-open.

These include the Brooklyn Public Library’s virtual storytime and the “missing sounds of the city” auditory love letter to New York, from the NYPL. Both FREE

Grab and Go Library Locations

These are the initial “grab and go” locations, and additional rules that apply to a particular library system.

Additional branches my open soon.

The New York Public Library

(Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island)

Research libraries, including the main Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, remain closed during this first phase of reopening, but will offer expanded scan-and-deliver service for general research collections.

Patrons will be able to request scans of material via the Shared Collections Catalog.

During the first phase, there will be no library card sign-ups in physical locations.

New Yorkers can continue to apply for and receive a digital library card through the NYPL free e-reader app, SimplyE.

Bathrooms are closed to visitors.

Manhattan

Patrons will be able to request scans of material via the Shared Collections Catalog.

During the first phase, there will be no library card sign-ups in physical locations.

New Yorkers can continue to apply for and receive a digital library card through the NYPL free e-reader app, SimplyE.

Bronx

Staten Island

Hours

Hours for most branches will be 11am to 6pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; Noon to 7pm on Wednesday; and 11am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.

The exception is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, which will be open 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 11am to 5pm on Saturday

Find more NYPL info on the NYPL FAQ website page.

Brooklyn Public Library

All BPL library card accounts for New York State residents with an expiration date to January 1, 2021 are being automatically renewed.

Cardholders can continue to access our eBook and eAudiobook collection without renewing their cards in person. Learn more about these collections and find download guides here.

All library materials that had been checked out or renewed between January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020 have had their due dates extended to November 2, 2020 and will not accrue any new fines.

Anyone with a blocked library card due to accumulation of $15 or more in fines will now be able to access eBooks and audiobooks without restriction.

Hours

Hours will be 10am to 4pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and 1pm to 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday.

Queens Public Library

Mail-a-Book home delivery service will resume.

These nine locations will accept returns at external return machines or book drops but remain closed to the public.

They will be open to staff for fulfilling materials requests and supporting our other functions.

In addition, our Mail-a-Book home delivery service will resume.

Hours

Hours will be 10am to 5pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (with a one-hour closure from 1 to 2 p.m. for cleaning); 1pm to 5pm on Tuesday; and Noon to 7pm on Thursday (with a one-hour closure from 3 to 4 p.m. for cleaning)

For more details, visit the library system websites