Brookline Library To Reopen

BROOKLINE, MA — The Brookline Public Library will reopen to the public for browsing and computer use in all three locations next month.

Library Director Sara Slymon made the announcement Friday.

The town's three libraries haven't let visitors stroll through the door, let alone the stacks, since the pandemic shuttered that to a halt March 14 last year. The library found ways to offer virtual programming, worked out a way to add more services safely - from materials pickup to loaning laptops.

But there's nothing like hunting down a book you thought you wanted and finding three others nearby to take home, too.

"On June 1, at 10 am, we will open our doors to the public for browsing and in-house computer use at all three locations," Slymon said in a statement.

But as with most things, the reopening will look a little different than it did before March 2020 including: Visitors older than 2 will have to wear a CDC approved face covering - properly- while in the library, keep 6 feet from anyone in line or in the stacks, and no food or drink is to be consumed or permitted in the library.

Also: Visits are limited to one per day, and may last no longer than 30 minutes.

And for now, only 75 people at a time will be permitted at the main library, 30 are allowed at the Coolidge Corner branch and 12 are permitted at Putterham.

Slymon said the library is planning to continue to offer virtual programming, and are eying ways to offer some outdoor programming this summer.