Breckenridge Texan

The Breckenridge Library will reopen to the public on Monday, June 15, after having been closed for almost three months due to the coronavirus threat.

Library Director Heather Schkade said that when the library reopens, the staff and patrons will be following COVID-19 precautions to prevent risks to patrons and staff. She said they are asking patrons to bring a mask and requiring them to wear one while they are inside the library. She said the library staff will also be wearing masks. Additionally they will have hand sanitizer available on a table near the door where people first walk in.

She said they will be letting visitors use the computers in the library but will only have four computers open to maintain the recommended 6-foot social distancing between the other people using the computers.

Schkade said they also asking patrons, if they take a book off the shelf and then decide they do not want to check it out, to just lay it on a table and the staff will clean it and put it back on the shelf.

Beginning on Monday, she said, they will try to go back to their regular hours and see how it goes. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The computers will be turned off at 5 p.m., she said.

Kids Summer reading programs

Schkade said the library staff is still trying to work out how to get back to some of the regular activities.

We had a board meeting last night and we’re trying to figure out how to do our summer reading program,” she said. “I’m going to call around to a couple of libraries and see how they’re doing it because some of them are doing reading stories on Facebook. I don’t know how that works, but I just want to see what they’re doing.”

Drive-up pick-up

 For the past few weeks, the library has been offering patrons the opportunity to pick out books on the library’s website, www.brecklibrary.org, and then pick up the books on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

 Thursday, June 11, will be the last day for curbside pick-up. However, Schkade said if anyone has health problems or doesn’t feel comfortable coming inside the library because of the COVID-19 risk, they can call the library and they will work out a safe way for them to pick up books.

 Those using the pick-up service on Thursday or who need to limit their time in public, the Breckenridge Library’s card catalog is online at www.brecklibrary.org. Patrons can search the library’s card catalog for a particular book and see if it is available to be checked out. They also can reserve a book online.

For more information, call the library at 254-559-5505.

Story by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan

Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge Library staff member Tommy Thompson delivers books to Fran Sims as part of the library’s curbside service. The library has offered the service lately because it was closed to the public due to the COVID-19 threat. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)