New Rochelle Public Library Announces Reopening Plans

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The New Rochelle Public Library and Huguenot Children’s Library will reopen to the public for browsing on May 10.

Although the limited reopening for in-person browsing signals the beginning of a return to normal, it won’t be business as usual quite yet. Curbside pick-up, which has helped readers to weather the pandemic, will continue uninterrupted for those not yet ready to mingle with strangers.

At the main library, staff wearing masks will be on hand to provide assistance at the circulation desk, in the children’s room, at the reference desks on the first and third floors as well as in the teen room. All visitors must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth and proper social distancing protocols will be enforced..

Library officials say all staff are fully trained in social distancing protocols and are always required to properly wear personal protective gear, including masks or face shields and disposable gloves when working at the circulation desk.

All returned books and other media are quarantined for 48 hours after being dropped off by patrons. In between each of the scheduled browsing periods each day, library staff will disinfect all of the public areas.

Computer use will be limited after the library opens its doors in May. A small number of computers will be available for the public to use on the third floor. Access will be limited to one hour per day.

The Main Library will be open Mondays through Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and then from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be additional public browsing sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Friends of NRPL Bookstore in the library lobby will be open to customers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon and then from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Right now, the bookstore is limiting donations to one small bag at a time.

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The Huguenot Children’s Library will be open for browsing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon and then from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the children’s library will stay open for an extra hour closing at 6 p.m. Huguenot will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays for the time being.