The first phase of the WPL COVID-19 Recovery Plan begins Monday, June 15 with the start of curbside pickup and the resumption of the return of checked out materials at all branches.  Book drops will open to accept materials borrowed prior to our March 19 closure.

“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,” says WPL Board Chair, Councillor Rino Bortolin. “Staff began returning May 25 to prepare for our phased re-opening and are all anxious to see our customers and provide the public library service our community expects.”

To utilize our Curbside Service, simply place holds on materials in the same manner as always by accessing your library account on our website.  On receipt of notification that the order is ready, call 519-796-5119 or complete the online form found on our website.  A response will be forthcoming within one business day, at which time an appointment can be made for pickup.  When picking up and dropping off, customers are urged to maintain all social distancing protocols and follow staff direction.  All materials will be placed in secure plastic bags.   The telephone number and online form will be active June 15.

Customers with holds outstanding when we closed in March can make arrangements to pick them up curbside or schedule delivery.  All overdue and checked out materials should be returned by July 15, at which point fines will be reinstated for unreturned materials.

“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,” says WPL CEO Kitty 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.”

Once curbside service has been established, Windsor Public Library will trial Visit By Appointment, which will allow a limited number of customers in a branch, at any one time, to access materials, resources and public computers.  A detailed announcement on this will be made next month.

All branches will be operating on summer hours when curbside service begins June 15.  Summer Hours can be viewed on HERE.

Join WPL Board Chair, Councillor Rino Bortolin, Jennifer Escott, VP of Bike Windsor Essex and WPL staffer Len Hayward as they demonstrate curbside pick-up etiquette.