South Hill, Fife Libraries Latest Pierce Libraries To Reopen

SOUTH HILL, WA — The South Hill and Fife libraries are the latest Pierce County libraries to reopen their doors to the public.

Both libraries resumed in-building services Wednesday. They are the 9th and 10th Pierce County Library System libraries to have reopened to the public, following the Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Graham, Milton/Edgewood, Steilacoom, Tillicum and University Place libraries.

The library system says all libraries are opening with limited services to start, but visitors can now come inside, browse bookshelves, and check out books, movies or magazines.

"We are thrilled to welcome people safely back inside library buildings," said Pierce County Library Executive Director Georgia Lomax when the first libraries reopened. "We know people have been eager to visit their libraries and search for and discover books and movies on their own. We took time to consider and create the best possible experience – to ensure the public and staff members are safe."

In an effort to keep the libraries safe during the tail end of the pandemic, study rooms, conference rooms and meeting rooms will remain closed. The libraries will require visitors to wear masks while inside and practice safe social distancing. Customers will also be encouraged to keep their visits quick, and maximum capacity will be restricted.

On top of book browsing, visitors can use library computers to surf the internet or for scanning, printing and faxing documents. The library system says seating inside the buildings will be restricted and reserved mostly for visitors using computers.

Ultimately, the library system intends to reopen 18 of its 20 libraries throughout the summer. In the meantime, 19 libraries continue to offer curbside pickup to rent out books, movies and other items.

The libraries are resuming in-building services in the midst of a flurry of other reopenings. Wednesday also marked the "economic reopening" of Washington as state leaders lifted almost all remaining capacity restrictions. Other local government operations reopening their doors to the public include Puyallup City Hall, the Pierce County Auditor's Office, and the Tacoma - Pierce County Health Department.