Limited to four drive-thru locations, Richland Library aims to expand services this month
Richland County libraries aren’t reopening their doors just yet as the coronavirus pandemic continues. But they are offering drive-thru.
Residents can place holds on books and other items and pick them up without leaving their cars from 2 to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at four of the system’s 13 locations — Ballentine, Northeast, Sandhills, and St. Andrews in Irmo and Columbia..
Those four locations were chosen specifically because they have the facilities and pick-up windows necessary for minimal physical contact, library spokeswoman Emily Stoll told The State.
Stoll also said that the library’s administrators are “meeting regularly to evaluate and discuss a reopening plan,” and they hope to announce an expansion of limited services later this month, though they continue to track several factors.
“Some areas that we are monitoring include: a sustained reduction of new COVID-19 cases in Richland County, enough staffing to run all of our core operations and the necessary materials for aligning with environmental cleaning guidance under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” Stoll said in an email.
In the meantime, all physical locations remain closed to the general public. There are, however, limited, self-service collections available outside of the Eastover, Lower Richland and Southeast locations under awnings, with a selection of nearly 5,000 books for children, teens and adults available.
All items can be returned at all of the system’s locations via book drops. All returned items will be isolated for at least 96 hours before being putting them back into circulation.
In addition, Richland will provide phone assistance for research questions, job seekers and social services, according to its website. Wi-Fi is also available in the parking lots of 12 locations.
In neighboring Lexington County, libraries remain mostly closed to the general public, but in-library computers can be reserved via appointment by calling local branches. Curbside pickup of materials is also available at all 10 of the system’s locations by appointment, and book drops are available at all locations. Items can be reserved online or over the phone.
