Wichita Public Library open for limited in-person services

Update as of May 26: Beginning Tuesday, May 26, Wichita Public Library locations will reopen with limited in-person services. Here are some of the highlights of the May 26 changes, but you can view the entire guidance here at the Wichita library website.

• Browsing the shelves will not be available, but library staff can retrieve materials for you. You can also pick up materials you have previously placed on hold.
• Customers and staff are required to wear a cloth face covering. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• The first hour of operation Monday-Saturday will be reserved for vulnerable populations. This includes seniors, pregnant women, those with compromised immune systems and other at-risk populations.
• Public computing, WiFi (with limited seating capacity) will be available, as will print, copy, and fax services. At the Advanced Learning Library, you can make an appointment to receive technology help via the Book-A-Librarian service. 
• These areas/services will remain closed for now: Linwood Park Branch; Research Pavilion at the Advanced Learning Library; children’s areas at all locations; collaboration rooms; the Friends of the Wichita Public Library used bookstore; event/meeting rooms. 

Beginning Monday, May 11, the Wichita Public Library will begin curbside and drive up window service.

If you had any items on hold prior to the library closing back in March, you should be getting a notification soon saying you can pick it up. 

If you want to check materials out, you’ll need to wait another week. Beginning May 18, you can place holds on items via the online catalog at catalog.wichitalibrary.org or by calling librarians at 261-8500 during regular business hours to get the staff to assist you. 

(Don’t forget you can get tons of library materials online with your library card right now.)

Curbside is offered at Angelou, Evergreen, Linwood, Rockwell, and Westlink Branch Libraries, and drive up windows are located at the Advanced Learning Library and Alford Branch.

When you arrive to the designated Library branch to pick up your materials, you’ll check in by calling the phone number on the outdoor signs or by going to the drive-up window. The library staff will ask for your name and library card number, verify your materials, then bring your items out to your car in plastic bags. 

If you want to return materials to the library, you can drop them off at any Wichita Public Library book drop. 

These procedures will be adjusted at some point as things begin to reopen in Wichita. Keep up with the latest information by visiting the library’s website here or by following them on one of their social media accounts.