Foster City Library to Offer Limited In-Library Services Beginning April 22
For Immediate Release: April 7, 2021
Contact: San Mateo County Libraries, (833) 937-7625; www.smcl.org
Foster City, CA; April 7, 2021 – City of Foster City and San Mateo County Libraries are thrilled to expand hours and welcome community members back with limited in-library services beginning Thursday, April 22.
The decision to allow modified in-library service follows months of planning and San Mateo County’s move to the “Orange Tier” of California’s coronavirus tier system. Limited in-library, or Express Service is the next step in a carefully, phased approach to reinstituting library offerings and access, and follows a variety of guidelines outlined by safety experts and mandated by local and state regulations.
“We’re excited that the Foster City Library is able to safely offer in-person library services to our community once again. I am grateful and humbled by the commitment of Director Despain and her team,” said Mayor Gehani.
Starting on April 22, the Foster City Library will expand hours and begin in-library, Express Service while also continuing to offer popular curbside services. Express Service will be available 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and include in-library browsing, Wi-Fi access, and computer and printer access.
Express Service has been planned with thoughtful care and safety precautions. While utilizing in-library services, patrons will be required to wear masks and abide by physical distancing guidelines. Building capacity and seating will be limited and the Library will close midday for high-touch surface cleaning. So that everyone can enjoy the Library, community members are encouraged to limit visits to 60 minutes.
For community members who prefer a contact-free experience, curbside services, which include holds pickup, printing, and no-appointment walk-up service, will continue to be available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additionally, the Library’s programs and events will continue in a virtual setting.
“Although we are exceptionally proud of our new curbside and virtual services, welcoming patrons back to in-library services will be a happy moment for all of us,” said Anne-Marie Despain, Library Director.
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, San Mateo County Libraries made the difficult decision to close facilities to the public on March 16, 2020. Staff quickly pivoted to providing online resources, virtual programs, and robust curbside services to serve the needs of our communities during these unprecedented times. Libraries will continue to offer an expanding array of digital materials, online resources and an exciting line up of virtual programs and events for all ages.
Visit www.smcl.org to follow news about library programs and services.
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