Bernards Twp. Library Will No Longer Require Appointments Soon

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The Bernards Township Library is approaching a key step in its process of gradually reopening. Starting Monday, the library will allow people to enter without appointments.

The library will also expand its hours next week 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. The facility will maintain its weekend hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and curbside service on Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

"You can come in. You can browse. You can use the computer," Library Director Lyn Begraft announced at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting.

Seating will be limited though, because of the 50 percent capacity, Begraft said. She thanked the library staff for their work during the pandemic and the township for its support.

Currently, the library only allows browsing by appointment. Visits are limited to one per day, and appointments last 45 minutes.

New Jersey's libraries had to close last year during the state's coronavirus lockdown. Even when they could reopen, many put curbside services to greater use.

Bernards Township has made good use of the library's curbside pickup, according to Begraft. The library set a record last month with 1,472 individual pickups.

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