Browse the Library Starting Monday April 5!

March 12, 2021

Beginning Monday April 5, Portsmouth Public Library will bring back in-person browsing! We will also be making several other service changes, including re-opening our outdoor book drop. We are so excited to allow folks into the building again to browse, choose, and check out library materials.

Until then, please visit our Current Services page for information on curbside pickup and more. Please read on for more information.

Hours

We will be adding Sunday hours beginning April 11!

Monday – Tuesday: 11 AM – 1 PM and 3 – 7 PM
Wednesday – Thursday: 11 AM – 1 PM and 3 – 5 PM
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 11 AM – 3 PM
Sunday: 1 – 5 PM

11 AM – 12 PM each day is reserved for seniors a­nd high-risk or immunocompromised library users. We ask everyone to respect this accommodation, and visit after noon if you are not in this population.

Mask Mandate

In accordance with the City’s mask ordinance, anyone over the age of 6 will be required to wear a face mask to enter the library, and at all times while in the building. Any person who does not comply with this policy will not be allowed in the building, or will be asked to leave.

Browsing the Library

The library will be open to a maximum of 20 visitors at a time. You may have to wait before entering if we have reached this maximum.

We ask all browsing visitors to keep their visits to 30 minutes or less, once a day. Unfortunately, this means that you will not be able to spend time socializing or reading in the library.

We encourage families who plan to visit the Youth Services area of the library to make an appointment in advance to ensure that their preferred time is reserved. Please read on for more information.

Staff will maintain strict social distancing with all visitors, remaining a minimum of six feet away. For this reason, we may not be able to assist everyone in the way you are used to. Thank you for your patience while we navigate this together!

If you have items on hold, you can pick them up in the library lobby – already checked out and ready to go!

At the end of your visit, use one of our contactless self-check stations, available in all departments, to check out and you’ll be on your way.

If you registered for a library account online, you will now be able to pick up your library card. Please bring a photo ID to the main Circulation Desk any time during open hours.

Please note that the following areas of the library will not be open for browsing: Magazines, Newspapers, Reference and Special Collections. If you'd like research help or are interested in materials in our Special Collections section, please feel free to visit the Reference Desk or call us at 766-1720!

Study carrels, study rooms, and meeting rooms will also remain unavailable at this time.

Youth Services Browsing Appointments

The library will offer 30-minute appointments for families to access the Youth Services area. Please call the Youth Services desk at 603-766-1740 to make an appointment before coming. Appointments can be made starting March 29.

You will be asked for the exact number of people in your family group, and we do encourage you to limit the total number of family members coming.

Returns

The library’s outdoor book drop will re-open on Monday April 5. You may also return your items at the entrance to the library during open hours.

All returned library materials will be quarantined for at least 72 hours. Only after quarantine will they be checked in – so please do not worry if they still appear in your online account.

Curbside Pickup

For those not comfortable entering the library, we will continue to offer Curbside Pickup by appointment – this will be available just outside the front door, or just inside the door during inclement weather. Here’s how it works:

  1. To place a hold on an item online, search/browse the catalog to find items you want. When you find an item you want to reserve, click on “Place a Hold.” Then follow the prompts to log into your account, if you haven’t already, and confirm your hold. Feel free to call us at the number below if you need assistance at any time!
  2. When your holds are ready, you will receive an email or phone notification from the library.
  3. If you would like to retrieve your library materials outside at a specific time, please call (603) 427-1540 to schedule a pickup time during open hours. If you are a senior, high-risk or immunocompromised, you may schedule a pickup between 11 AM and 12 PM.
  4. Visit the library at the allotted time to retrieve your materials just outside the front door, or just inside the door during inclement weather. At this time, you may also return any items you have out, and/or enter the library to browse if occupancy allows.

We will continue to offer Remote Printing for Curbside Pickup.

For more information, please visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/curbside.

Computer Use by Appointment

The library will offer 30-minute appointments to use a public computer, once per day. Masks must be properly worn throughout the entire 30 minutes. Any person who does not comply with this policy will be asked to leave the building. Appointments will be available during all open hours. Only one person per computer, please!

Please call our reference desk during open hours at (603) 766-1720 to make an appointment for a computer upstairs. Appointments can be made starting March 29.

Walk-up appointments will be made as the schedule allows, but it is best to call ahead, especially for adults.

For more information, please visit cityofportsmouth.com/library/appointments.

What safety precautions is the library taking?

In accordance with the City’s mask ordinance, anyone over the age of 6 will be required to wear a face mask to enter the library, and at all times while in the building. Any person who does not comply with this policy will not be allowed in the building, or will be asked to leave.

Staff will maintain strict social distancing with all visitors, remaining a minimum of six feet away. For this reason, we may not be able to assist everyone in the way you are used to. Thank you for your patience while we navigate this together!

We ask all visitors to maintain social distancing with anyone not in their family group.

Bathrooms will be available on the first and second floors. Note that our bathrooms are cleaned every day, but we cannot guarantee they are cleaned in between uses.

Please note that we have also upgraded the library building’s HVAC system, and maintain adequate stores of protective equipment for staff.

In addition, all returning items are quarantined for at least 72 hours. We also quarantine all newly ordered and received items arriving in the library, before they are added to the library’s collection.

All library services will be operated with the minimum number of library staff. We ask for your patience as we deliver our core services in the safest way possible.

How long will you offer this service?

Until further notice. Since our service levels are determined based on a number of public health factors, we do not know when our services, or our hours, will change. Please check our website for updates.

What other services is the library offering?

The library has provided a consistent and broad array of additional services since COVID closures began. This includes:

  • Online events & programs for all ages almost daily, including story times, books clubs, discussion groups, meditation, classes, workshops, and lectures. Our programs cover topics like world affairs, local history, genealogy, arts & crafts, music, cooking, gaming, gardening, foraging, mindfulness, and more.
  • Recommendation services for all ages, including curated book lists in our catalog, personalized book bundles based on reader preferences, and 22 different monthly newsletters with title suggestions by genre.
  • Digital resources available with a library card, including ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, films, TV, music, research databases, video tutorials and classes, and unlimited access to the New York Times.
  • Additional services for curbside pickup, including remote printing and 3D printing.
  • Reference & research services, and assistance using library resources.
  • Growing and maintaining the library collections to support the reading and viewing interests of the community.

Here are a few additional facts about library services during the pandemic:

  • Our online programs & events have been attended by over 10,000 people since March 2020.
  • Our popular Take & Make craft activity kits have been distributed to over 2,000 youth and teens.
  • The library has circulated 88,500 books, movies, and other library materials since April 2020.
  • 93,142 books and other materials have been downloaded through numerous online library services such as OverDrive, Hoopla and Kanopy.
  • We have over 18,000 library cardholders!