For the last several weeks, we have been gathering and evaluating guidance provided by the Maine State Library, Maine CDC, and Maine DECD. After reviewing the standardizedlibrary sector checklistand evaluating our capabilities of meeting the requirements for a safe and gradual reopening, we have a developed a reopening plan that will slowly allow us to get books and other library items safely into your hands.
As of May 26th, we are accepting returns to our book drop at York Public Library.
Please. NO donations at this time. We simply cannot take them. We will organize a donation event as soon as we can.
If the book drop is full and there is no room for you to return your items, please hold them for a later date. We are emptying the book drop on a regular basis, but we currently have over 4000 items checked out!
Beginning Monday, June 1, you will be able to request items fromour library for pickup.
Requests may be made online via the Minerva catalog or by calling the library. Please leave a message if we can’t pick up.
All items in the Library have been untouched for the past few months, and all items returned will be quarantined a minimum of 72 hours.
Staff will take all preventative measures to keep materials clean as they are prepared for pickup. Items will be wrapped in paper to protect privacy.
When you receive the email or phone call notifying you that your item is ready, you may come to pick it up during our designated curbside hours.
Beginning Wednesday June 3, we will start curbside pickup.
Curbside pickup will be available from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Please follow signs to keep the flow of traffic going. As you drive up to the library, go down through the lower parking lot and up towards the main entrance.
When you arrive, please stay in your car. You can roll down your passenger side window and give us your name.
We will grab your requested items and place them in your rear passenger seat through a window, or in your trunk if you prefer.
Please do not hand us your returned items. We will have a bin available outside for you to place your returns while driving through for pickup.
Though we miss seeing each of you, we hope you understand if we can't stay to chat, but we look forward to welcoming you back into the library as soon as it is safe to do so!
We’re all learning about staged reopenings as we go, and as community and public health guidelines evolve, we will make adjustments as needed. We’ll also be releasing plans in the near future regarding access to the library building. Please know you can always reach us by phone (207) 363-2818 or emailypl@york.lib.me.us.
In partnership with area practitioners, the Library is pleased to offer a weekly meditation program this month with sessions led by Maia Rizzi and Avi Magidoff alternately. This program is free and open to all ages and abilities. Dress comfortably. No prior experience needed. This program will be available on Zoom and you can access the direct link from our website just prior to each session.
York Reads Book Discussion: The Woman's Hour
Book Discussion Saturday, June 20 at 11:00 AM The Centennial Celebration of Votes for Women Continues with the York Reads 2020 Book Selection: The Woman’s Hour
Since last fall, programs celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment have been a focus of the York Diversity Forum. Although some events were canceled because of the pandemic, programs continue via Zoom, and everyone is invited to join in.
On Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m., historian Julie Weiss will lead a discussion of The Woman's Hour, by Elaine Weiss. The book tells the riveting story of the last six weeks of the 70-year fight for women's right to vote - a monumental struggle with themes of money, power, race, and gender. The women involved in this fight were extraordinary. Brave and determined, they often risked their lives for the cause, and they changed the course of American history.
To register for this Zoom event (limited to 25 participants, so please register soon), see yorkdiversityforum.org and click on the registration button to provide your name and email address. Registrants will receive an email reminder and the link to the discussion a few days before the event. At the designated time, a simple click on that link will open the Zoom screen. If this is the first time you’re using Zoom, there will be a quick download of the Zoom software and then you’re ready to go.
York Public Library has been our collaborator for many Diversity Forum events, and we are grateful for their help with this one. We can’t offer refreshments, but participants can enjoy a lively discussion and their own cup of tea.
Summer Reading!!
While we're certainly having an unconventional Maine summer, the library is still here for you!! If you're looking for some ideas to explore or want to dig deeper into the wonderful area in which we live, sign up for our summer challenge: read, try new activities, and earn chances to win grand prizes. Sign ups begin on June 8.The program starts on June 22 and runs through to August 22.
For the very first time, this year’s Summer Reading Program is completely online using a program called Beanstack. Sign ups begin on June 8. Starting then you can check out the link on the website or call the library for details. We'll be happy to help you in any way we can - including picking out books for you to pick up curbside. Remember to check out digital titles for books to read too. Happy summer!