Library adds Saturday hours, partly to benefit trail riders

The Union County Library is bringing back Saturday operating hours and will be open from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

“The eight o’clock is primarily for trail users so they can check out bicycles and ride before it gets so hot,” Union County Library Director Sissy Bullock said.

The library has a selection of bicycles for various ages that can be checked out for free by patrons.

The library is still restricted to curbside service due to the pandemic but only computer use and direct access to the shelves are not available to the public.

“We’re wide open,” Bullock said. “We can do books, faxes, copies and have kits available. We will meet you on the porch.”

The library offers a variety of interactive activities for children with something new virtually every day. “There’s some really cute stuff,” she said, and this is proving popular.

The library was closed in mid-March due to the coronavirus but is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. People who want to use and expedite the curbside service should call the library at 534-1991 ahead of time.

The Nance McNeely branch of the library in Myrtle is providing curbside service on Wednesdays from 1-5 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 988-2895 for the curbside service in Myrtle.

When people request materials they will be bagged and placed on the library’s front porch with the person’s name. Once people arrive to pick up their materials, they will call the library staff to let them know they are outside.

Books, DVDs, learning kits for children and Wi-Fi hotspots can be checked out this way. People can browse the library’s online catalog or just ask for a favorite author or genre.

The learning kits will be posted on the library’s Facebook page for people to see. The learning kits must be returned when the library is open. When returning the kits, people will need to call the library when they arrive and place the materials on the table outside.

Bikes can also be checked out Monday through Friday in New Albany, but people must bring their own helmets. People who want to check out a bike should call the library, and a staff member will meet them at the bike shed. Library staff will clean the bikes for the next person once they are returned.

Other items, such as books and DVDs, can be returned in the book drop. Items will be quarantined for three days and sanitized after they are returned.

All fines are waived until further notice.

Payment in correct change will be accepted as well as debit cards.