Gail Borden opens drive-up windows starting May 4
People who have had books and movies on hold since before the stay-at-home directive will now be able to pick them up at the drive-up windows in the Gail Borden Public Library District. Starting, Monday, May 4, the drive-up windows at the main library at 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin and the Rakow Branch at 2751 W. Bowes Road in Elgin will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for pick-ups.
Customers who had books on hold before the library closed its doors to customers on March 14 will be receiving a phone call regarding those materials
Library officials have planned this new offering with the upmost safety in mind. A small number of staff will be scheduled with minimal contact between staff members. Staff who are handling this service have self-selected to be part of the drive-up service.
The contactless style of these drive-up windows makes this opportunity possible for the Gail Borden Library community. People will be able to place a hold online at www.gailborden.info or by calling the library at (847) 742-2411. They will receive their holds via a bank-type slide-out drawer.
No material returns will be accepted at the drive-up windows. Materials can be returned through materials drop slots at both buildings or at the remote drop boxes. Upon return, materials will be quarantined in excess of Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
The majority of Gail Borden staff continue to work from their homes as the daily "Your Library at Home" online programs continue to draw large audiences and reference staff continue to answer questions via email, text and phone calls.
During this stay-at-home time period, facilities staff have overseen and performed a thorough deep clean and hospital grade disinfecting of all of the library buildings' interiors, including washrooms, hard services, shelving, computers, floors, furniture, light fixtures and rugs in anticipation of staff and customers returning to the building. In addition, library staff members are working diligently on a prospective reopening plan that will continue to follow the directives of the governor and health officials. Staff anticipate that re-opening to customers will look quite different from the days of the past and will incorporate maximum safety for the staff and public.
In the near-term, people may place holds, pick up materials via the drive-up windows and return items through the drop slot starting May 4.
Items may be reserved in two ways - via online and phone.
Search for the item on the library catalog and click on the "Reserve It" icon. Enter the last seven digits of your library card number and your PIN number. Click on the "Login" icon.
Select where you would like to pick out the item and a message will verify if the request was successful. You will be notified when your item is ready to pick up.
People may also call (847) 742-2411 to place holds.
For reference inquiries, please call (847) 429-4680.