Programming & Outreach Specialist Zach Heimach processes books behind the circulation desk at Eckhart Public Library’s Main Library. The Main Library and Teen Library buildings will reopen with limited hours and services on May 26.
Eckhart Public Library was excited to announce earlier this week that our Main Library and Teen Library will be reopen to the public on Tuesday, May 26, with limited hours and services. Social distancing rules will be enforced and some services will be unavailable for the safety of our community. During this time, we’ll also continue to offer our curbside services. For more detailed information, click here.
If you need assistance with digital services, setting up home delivery, curbside services, and more, please reach out to us – we’re happy to help! Give us a call at (260) 925-2414 ext. 120 or email us at info@epl.lib.in.us
Programming & Outreach Specialist Zach Heimach processes books behind the circulation desk at Eckhart Public Library’s Main Library. The Main Library and Teen Library buildings will reopen with limited hours and services on May 26.
Eckhart Public Library will offer limited hours at its Main Library and Teen Library buildings beginning on Tuesday, May 26.
The library is working on responsibly phasing in services while following the guidelines of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Back on Track Indiana plan.
“It feels really good to be able to welcome people back into the library, even though we will have limited services right now,” said Assistant Director Jenny Kobiela-Mondor. “We are trying to be responsible and safe while also offering the community access to the library.”
The Main Library will be open for limited-contact services Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 1-7 p.m. The Teen Library will be open 3:30-7 on Tuesday and Thursday, and noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The first hour each day at the Main Library will be designated for high-risk people, including people older than 65 and immunocompromised individuals. To protect the community and staff, patrons are encouraged to stay home if they are not well.
People are also asked to wear masks when visiting Eckhart Public Library. The library has received donations from several people, including Auburn Alterations, Board Member Kari Ackerman, and staff members and their families, in order to be able to provide cloth face masks to anybody visiting the library. The masks, which members of the public may keep, are washable and reusable. The Centers for Disease Control, Indiana Department of Health, and DeKalb County Health Department recommend cloth face coverings when in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Staff will be wearing face masks when working with the public.
“We are thankful to our donors who are making it possible to get more face masks out into the community,” Kobiela-Mondor said. “They are an important way to help keep each other healthy.”
Eckhart Public Library Assistant Director Jenny Kobiela-Mondor picks a book off the shelf at the Main Library.
The library will also continue curbside services, with staff taking items to peoples’ cars and performing curbside document services from 9-11 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6 p.m., at the Main Library. People who have items on hold or who would like staff to pull certain items can call 260-925-2414 ext. 120 when they arrive at the library. People interested in learning more about the library’s delivery services can call the library at 260-925-2414 ext. 120.
The library will be set up a little bit differently when it reopens on May 26. People returning library items will be asked to return their items in a cart in the entryway. All returning items are quarantined for three days before being sanitized, checked in, and reshelved. No items will be due until July 1, in order to give extra time to people who still wish to remain at home during this time.
A limited number of computers will be available in the Close Community Room and Activity Room at the Main Library, set up so that computer users can observe social distancing. Computers will be for email, banking, e-government, job searching, education, and other such uses. Gaming will not be allowed at this time. Some seating will also be moved or removed in order to promote social distancing. Library service desks have also been equipped with sneeze guards, and self-checkouts are available on each level. The library also will clean high-touch surfaces often.
People who have specific needs can also call to set up a one-on-one appointment with a library staff member. In partnership with the Indiana Library Federation, Family and Social Services Administration, and Department of Workforce Development, Public Service staff have been trained to assist people in applying for benefits online, including unemployment benefits, SNAP food assistance, and TANF cash assistance. People can call 260-925-2414 ext. 120 to set up an appointment or visit our LibCal page to schedule an appointment.
Eckhart Public Library has continued to offer services to the public while buildings are closed. Eckhart Public Library is one of more than 350 libraries that is offering Wi-Fi access in parking lots and in areas around library buildings. For a map of participating libraries, visit https://www.ilfonline.org/general/custom.asp?page=Wi-Fi-map.
Eckhart Public Library has also offered expanded electronic resources, including expanding monthly checkout limits from digital service Hoopla, as well as offering items through OverDrive, Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy services. The library has also created more than 50 virtual programs that have been shared online and viewed more than 20,000 times; has invested in Niche Academy in order to offer tutorials about library services and databases on its webpage at epl.lib.in.us; and is a source of accurate, timely information about the COVID-19 pandemic. The library is also instrumental in setting up and hosting 19secondsofjoy.com, a website full of community resources related to the pandemic and stay-at-home order.
Eckhart Public Library management, administration, and Board of Trustees is continuing to work with the DeKalb County Health Department and follow guidance from the Indiana State Library, Indiana Library Federation, Indiana Department of Health, American Library Association, and Centers for Disease Control, as library services are phased in.
Our very first curbside patron picking up their items!
Eckhart Public Library wants to thank you for your enthusiasm and a very successful first week of curbside services, including pickup, drop off, and document services. We appreciate your kindness and patience as we continue to fine-tune this service to make it even better! Need more information on curbside pickup? Click here to learn more.
As always, Eckhart Public Library’s digital resources like Libby, Overdrive, Hoopla, and Kanopy are available with your library card 24/7. Kanopy is also extending their free viewing of Kanopy Kids programming through May 31, so if you haven’t checked it out, now is a great time! If you have any questions, the Eckhart Public Library is available at epl.lib.in.us, through email at info@epl.lib.in.us, by phone at (260) 925-2414 ext. 120, or through our Facebook page.
A map of library showing where item drop off and curbside pickup will be conducted
Earlier this week, Eckhart Public Library was proud to announce that they would be offering curbside services for item drop off, pickup, and document services. This will allow patrons to access traditional library services in a safe, convenient way. Drop off and pickup will be available from 9-11 a.m. and from 4-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. If you are interested in placing items on hold, or need directions about where to go for these services, please click here for more information.
As always, Eckhart Public Library’s digital resources like Libby, Overdrive, Hoopla, and Kanopy are available with your library card 24/7. Kanopy is also extending their free viewing of Kanopy Kids programming through May 31, so if you haven’t checked it out, now is a great time! If you have any questions, the Eckhart Public Library is available at epl.lib.in.us, through email at info@epl.lib.in.us, by phone at (260) 925-2414 ext. 120, or through our Facebook page.
As always, Eckhart Public Library’s digital resources like Libby, Overdrive, Hoopla, and Kanopy are available with your library card 24/7. Kanopy is also extending their free viewing of Kanopy Kids programming through May 31, so if you haven’t checked it out, now is a great time! If you have any questions, the Eckhart Public Library is available at epl.lib.in.us, through email at info@epl.lib.in.us, or through our Facebook page.
Are you looking for a new book, movie, or podcast while you’re staying at home? Take a moment to visit Eckhart Public Library’s Facebook page and check out our “Staff Suggestions” video series! These videos come directly from various staff at the library who are suggesting some of their favorite items, and will tell you where you can find them digitally! Click here to check out the growing series!
Do you need help getting a library card, logging in to a digital service, or another question? We’re still available to help! Feel free to message us on Facebook or reach us through email at info@epl.lib.in.us
While Eckhart Public Library is closed, we are committed to bring you fun programming right at home! Find us on Facebook to check out our growing virtual programming for all ages, including: Babies & Books Activities, Family Storytime, Learning STEAM, Kids in the Kitchen, and more! Click here to see all the digital programming we have to offer!
Our digital collections on Libby/Overdrive, Hoopla, and Kanopy are available to you 24/7 – all you need is your library card and your 4-digit PIN number to get started on any of these great apps! If you are having trouble getting logged in or need additional assistance, please email info@epl.lib.in.us
Even though Eckhart Public Library locations are closed, we are still doing our best to offer services! WiFi is still available outside our buildings and can be used 24/7 by patrons who need internet access to pay bills, students who need to complete eLearning, or those who just need a break to get on social media. Please practice safe social distancing if you’ll be using the WiFi while others are present.
Next, Eckhart Public Library is excited to announce that patrons can begin the library card sign up process from the comfort of your home! After filling out an online form, staff will reach out to you to verify your information, finish the sign up process, and can give you your new library card number to help you get started immediately! To find a helpful step-by-step video and more information if you need to pay a subscription fee, visit epl.lib.in.us/library-card
If you will be signing up for a library card, or already have a card, did you know you have a wealth of digital information just waiting for you to see? We have digital content through Libby, Overdrive, Hoopla, Kanopy, and so much more! If you have any questions on how to log in to any of these services, please email info@epl.lib.in.us
Even though Eckhart Public Library is closed to the public, that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to put your library card to use! Eckhart Public Library offers digital eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, movies, and more through apps like Libby, Overdrive, Hoopla, and Kanopy. Eckhart Public Library will also be offering fun interactive posts, live videos, and more through our Facebook page.
Have any questions about how to access digital resources or having trouble logging in? We can still be reached by phone at (260) 925-2414 ext. 120 or by email at info@epl.lib.in.us.
