Library Building To Temporarily Close Beginning Nov. 23

Press release from the Barrington Area Library:

The Barrington Area Library building will temporarily close to the public beginning on Monday, November 23, and until further notice. Read on to learn which services will still be available.

Why is the Library building closing until further notice?

Cases of COVID-19 are surging in Cook and Lake counties and we want to do our part to reduce the spread of the virus. County health departments, in tandem with the state of Illinois, are putting increased mitigations in place, and encouraging residents to stay home as much as possible. We care deeply about the health and safety of the communities we serve, especially seniors, people with underlying conditions, and others who are at greater risk. We are also committed to providing the safest possible work environment for Library staff.

Which Library services will be available during the closure (beginning Nov 23)?

• Parking Lot Pick-Up, Borrow By Mail, and delivery to our remote locker locations (if they remain open) will be available to Barrington Area Library cardholders. Please note that Parking Lot Pick-Up will be available during the following hours:

  Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM Sunday, 1 – 5 PM

• Return drop boxes will remain open, checkout policies will remain the same. Remember: we are now fines-free!
• Phone (847-382-1300), chat, and email service will be available during the following hours:

  Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 9 PM Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM Sunday, 1 – 5 PM

• Please note that services listed above will not be available on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov 26.
• Online programs will continue. Visit our Events Calendar for details and registration.
• Apply for or renew your Barrington Area Library card online.
• MakerLab, 3D printing, and digital studio project assistance will be available remotely. BALibrary cardholders should email the Digital Services department.
• BALibrary cardholders also have 24/7 access to our outstanding digital collections of e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines and newspapers, streaming movies and TV shows and music, and downloadable music. Students and others with research needs may use our online information databases and homework help.

How can I stay informed about the Library’s hours and services?

We will keep you informed via our website (balibrary.org), social media channels (Facebook and Twitter), and e-mail newsletters. Our response to this situation will continue to evolve, so please stay in touch.

We encourage you to use our phone and chat services for the fastest response to your questions – see hours above. You may also use the Contact Us email form on our website – we’ll respond to your messages as quickly as possible.

This press release was produced by the Barrington Area Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.