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Message from Garland County Library Director Adam Webb:

These are dark times there is no denying. For everyone. While it breaks my heart to keep the library closed for the duration of this crisis, I know that to return to normal operations before this is over would mean ignoring the professional opinions of healthcare professionals and infectious disease experts and endangering the public and our wonderful library staff. Libraries are not in the business of ignoring the truth.

We are proud to say that even in these troubling times we are able to continue our mission of providing essential, meaningful connections — to traditional library materials, to digital resources, and to each other through cultural, educational and recreational opportunities. We are offering curbside pickup of traditional library materials 7 days a week from 9-11 am and 1-3 pm and are working on other solutions to extend our services as best we can in these challenging times. We have expanded our digital resources tremendously in the last two weeks, offering new databases, thousands of additional ebooks and audiobooks, and expanded access to other digital offerings. Perhaps most importantly, we are keeping those connections to each other alive through online storytimes and other new initiatives, including a brand new chat service where users can speak directly with library staff. If you don’t already have a library card, you can register for an e-card online and be issued a card number immediately that enables users to access all of our online resources.

While it is not directly in our mission statement, we also have a responsibility to be a safe place, for our users and our staff. As such, we are following the guidance of the Arkansas State Library, the CDC, and prevailing scientific research and quarantining any materials returned to the library for a minimum of three days and disinfecting them before they are ready for circulation. Additionally, we are not accepting donations of materials at this time.

Like everyone else, we are monitoring this situation regularly and will make decisions accordingly. If the situation changes, so will our response. It is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Garland County and we look forward to the day when we see you walking through our doors again.

Yours in Service,
Adam Webb
Library Director

The library is still closed to the public, but we've opened our curbside pickup service for items on hold only. Holds can be picked up from 9 am to 11 am and 1 pm to 3 pm only.Here's how to use our curbside pickup:

- Place items on hold online from our catalog at http://bit.ly/2pTNS7j.
- Once you've been notified that your items are available, pull into one of our two designated curbside spots and call the phone number on the sign.
- A staff member will locate your items, check them out on your account, and bring them outside.

- FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR STAFF, PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH THE LIBRARY'S ENTRANCE. We are taking every precaution to limit our staff's person to person interactions.
- We will place your items on a table next to your curbside spot. Please wait to retrieve your items until the staff member has returned to the building.
- We will not be taking returns from you directly. Please place returns in the outside book drop or hang on to your holds and return them when the library reopens.

If you have any questions about curbside pickup, your account, or how to place items on hold from home, send us a direct message or email the library at gcl@gclibrary.com.

Learn how to put items on hold from our online catalog below.

Hoopla recognizes the increased need for digital books and movies during this difficult time. They have created Bonus Borrows, a collection of over 1,100 top titles and Hoopla favorites that don't count against your 10 monthly checkouts.
Browse their general collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and movies or borrow from a selection of kids' content, at-home fitness, and self-help.

Visit hoopladigital.com and search for "bonus borrows" to see what's available.
Use your Garland County Library card to access these databases for free:
Learn over 70 languages with intuitive, conversation-based methodology.
Watch step-by-step arts and craft tutorial videos.
Get expert, independent ratings and reviews of electronics, appliances, vehicles, and more.
Don't know what to read next? Let Novelist help.
Read local, regional, and national publications.

 
Computer tutorials from learning the parts of a computer to using a mouse.

Overdrive/Libby has created a collection of 4,000+ ebooks from Duke Classics that are available for free, simultaneous use. The selection includes classics like Sherlock Holmes and Anne of Green Gables. No waits. No holds. Search Duke Classics on Overdrive or Libby to see what's available.

Other titles available on Overdrive and Libby are limited by the number of copies we own, just like our print books. If all of our copies are out you can put yourself on hold for it.
Library staff is available by phone at 501-623-4161 daily from 9-11 am and 1-3 pm. Questions can also be sent to the library by email at gcl@gclibrary.com, direct message on our social media pages, and through our new chat feature on our website.

Please be patient with us. We are working with limited staff and doing everything we can to continue to provide the best service possible. We will answer all questions as soon as possible. 
The Garland County Library enriches our community by creating and providing essential, meaningful connections -- to traditional library materials, to digital resources, and to each other through cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities.
Copyright © 2020 Garland County Library, All rights reserved.
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