Phoenix area libraries offer limited services during coronavirus pandemic

Many libraries in Maricopa County that initially shut down as the novel coronavirus began to spread in Arizona have reopened their book drops and offer curbside pickup services.

Check your city below to see what in-person services your local library is offering before heading out. 

The safest bet might be going digital.

Libraries offer digital books, movies, songs, audio books, digital graphic novels and more through online services accessible with a library card.

The digital selection can be found on the county's or cities' library websites.

Here is a list of available services as of Sept 2.

Avondale

Avondale libraries are open for in-person services with limited time and capacity inside.

Curbside pickup is available at both branches: Avondale Civic Center Library and Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library.

Visit avondalelibrary.org for digital offerings.

Buckeye

The Downtown Library and Coyote Branch are offering no-contact pickup.

Visit buckeyeaz.gov/residents/library for digital offerings.

Chandler

Chandler’s four library branches are open for hold pickups and returns only.

The branches are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Students and other residents can reserve up to 45 minutes to use in-person library resources, such as computers, WiFi or study tables, as part of the city’s Book It! Back to School program. Reservations can be made online.

In-person programming is canceled until further notice.

Visit chandlerlibrary.org for digital offerings.

El Mirage

The El Mirage public library, which is run by Maricopa County, is offering curbside pickup and box drop-off only.

Visit mcldaz.org for digital offerings.

Gilbert

Gilbert's public libraries, which are run by Maricopa County, is offering curbside pickup and box drop-off only.

Visit mcldaz.org for digital offerings.

Glendale

Glendale's public libraries are offering walk-through and hold pickup services.

This includes the Glendale Main Library, Heroes Regional Park Library, Velma Teague Library and Foothills Library.

Walk-through services are limited but visitors can browse the libraries' collections, update or renew library cards and pick up holds.

All library programs and classes are canceled.

Visit glendaleazlibrary.com for digital offerings.

Goodyear

The Goodyear public library, which is run by Maricopa County, is offering curbside pickup and box drop-off only.

Visit mcldaz.org for digital offerings.

Guadalupe

The Guadalupe public library, which is run by Maricopa County, is offering curbside pickup and box drop-off only.

Visit mcldaz.org for digital offerings.

Litchfield Park

The Litchfield Park public library, which is run by Maricopa County, is offering curbside pickup and box drop-off only.

Visit mcldaz.org for digital offerings.

Maricopa County Libraries

All libraries run by Maricopa County are offering curbside pickup and box drop-off only.

That includes libraries in unincorporated parts of the county, such as Aguila, Fountain Hills, Gila Bend, Litchfield Park, Sun City, Sun Lakes and Waddell.

It also includes libraries in Anthem, El Mirage, Gilbert, Goodyear, Guadalupe, Surprise, Queen Creek, the Central Express Library in Phoenix, and the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Library Lounge.

Visit mcldaz.org for digital offerings.

Mesa

Mesa public libraries are closed until further notice.

Items are available for curbside pickup.

Visit www.mesalibrary.org for digital offerings.

Peoria

Peoria's public libraries offer curbside pickup and in-person services with limited times and limited capacity inside.

Visit library.peoriaaz.gov for digital offerings.

Phoenix

Phoenix Public Library offers curbside services and book drops are available at 16 of 17 locations. (South Mountain Community Library remains closed.)

Curbside service includes the ability to pick up items placed on hold. The hours are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.

The library system offers a "Library-To-Go" program. Customers can drive up during curbside service hours and ask for items such as book bundles for a particular age group or genre, family-friendly STEAM activity kits and movie binge-boxes. You do not need to place books on hold in advance, but you do need a library card to check them out. You do not need a library card for the activity kits, which are limited in supply.

Visit phoenixpubliclibrary.org for digital offerings.

Scottsdale

The Scottsdale Public Library system has adjusted its normal hours of operation and some service offerings.

Civic Center and Mustang Libraries offer some building hours, as well as drive-through and curbside pick-up options.

Appaloosa and Arabian Libraries offer drive-through services.

Visit scottsdalelibrary.org for digital offerings.

Surprise 

Surprise's libraries, which are run by Maricopa County, offer curbside pickup and box drop-off only.

Visit mcldaz.org for digital offerings.

Tempe

The Tempe Public Library lobby is open to residents to drop off books or pick up items placed on hold.

Residents can return or pick up items from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Staff has implemented touch-free checkout.

The book drop remains open.

In-person programming is canceled until further notice, but classes are available virtually.

Visit www.tempepubliclibrary.org for digital offerings.

Reach the reporter at jen.fifield@azcentral.com or at 602-444-8763. Follow her on Twitter @JenAFifield. Reporters Paulina Pineda, 

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