Book lovers in Windsor will soon be able to have them in their hands starting this week.
Starting Monday, the Windsor Public Library system will have curbside pickup and home delivery. Patrons will once again be able to check out materials as well.
Book drop boxes will also be opened to accommodate returns of books that were checked out before the city shut the library system down in March.
Library board chairman and Ward 3 Councillor Rino Bortolin said library staff have been working for several weeks to ready the system for the reboot.
"Library staff has focused on implementing a contactless curbside pick-up and drop-off plan, which ensures the health and safety of customers and staff," said Bortolin.
Users can select their books online as before, and place those materials on hold. If they wish to use the curbside or home delivery option, they can fill out the form online, or call the library at (519) 796-5119. Responses will usually be sent within one business day with an invitation to set up an appointment for pickup or home drop-off.
Anyone who had a material hold before the mid-March shutdown can also make arrangements for curbside pickup or home delivery.
Library CEO Kitty Pope said as far as overdue materials go, users will have until July 15 to return them without penalty, after which the fine system will be reinstated.
"Customers are asked to return checked out and overdue material to book drops where they will be stored in bins and quarantined for 72 hours before being officially checked back into the library system," said Pope. "With over 30,000 books and DVDs out in the community, we have been gearing up for their safe return and making them available for others to borrow."
All branches will operate on summer hours starting Monday. Visit the library website for hours at your favourite branch, as well as the phone numbers.