On Monday, July 6, all Cuyahoga County Public Library branches will reopen for public access during these hours:

  • Monday — Thursday | 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Friday & Saturday | 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM 
  • Sunday | Closed 

Curbside and drive-through service will continue to be offered after the Library reopens on July 6.

Will customers be required to wear masks?

The Library strongly recommends that all customers wear masks when visiting the library. If a customer needs help on the computer or with any task that requires a staff person to come within six feet, a mask will be required. The library will provide a mask if one is needed.

What is the library doing to ensure the safety of customers and staff?

The library is taking many steps to create the safest possible environment. First, we will be limiting the number of people allowed in the building to approximately 25 percent of typical capacity. Second, we are modifying our furniture layout and signage to promote physical distancing. Computer stations will be spaced out to maintain distance between customers.

We have increased our typical cleaning protocols and will regularly wipe down high-touch surfaces throughout the day. Toys and other interactive activities will not be available in our youth spaces, and our meeting rooms will remain closed.

Returned materials will be quarantined for 72 hours. Materials may only be returned through outdoor book drops or in designated bins in each branch.

The library also encourages customers to download the free Cuyahoga County Public Library app to bypass lines at the self-checkout stations. The app gives you the ability to scan and check out or renew your items.

What if I am part of the vulnerable/high risk population?

The Library will designate the first hour of each day (9 a.m. — 10 a.m., Monday through Saturday) for vulnerable, high-risk customers. We will also continue to offer curbside/drive-through service at all branches even after our buildings reopen. Simply call your branch ahead of time to let them know that you prefer curbside service when picking up materials on hold.

Which specialty services will be available?

The library’s fax/copier machines, public computers and printers will be available for use once we re-open on July 6. If you need staff help to operate these items, you will be required to wear a mask. Innovation Centers will be open to the public, but audio recording studios will remain closed. If you have specific questions about a service, please call your local branch before visiting.

When will storytimes and other programs resume?

At this time, the library will not offer any in-person programs where we cannot guarantee proper social distancing. We have transitioned many traditional library programs, such as book discussions and author events, into online events. Please check the library’s website for more details.

The summer lunch program at eligible branches will resume on July 6, but it will be “grab and go” bagged lunches. Students may not congregate once they receive their lunch.

The library also plans to offer limited technology training and workforce development programs starting in July to groups of fewer than 10. More details to come.

Can I drop off book donations?

At this time, the library cannot accept book donations. Once the branches reopen for public access, the library will set a date to resume book donations for the Friends of the Library book sales.

What about Library2You services?

Library staff will begin contacting current Library2You customers starting June 15 to resume service. If you are homebound and wish to receive library materials via mail, please complete the Library2You online application.

Where can I get more information about Covid-19 

You can get the latest information at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov. 

What about drive-through or curbside services?

Starting, Monday June 29, all Cuyahoga County Public Library branches will be open for either drive-through or curbside service only Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. See below for a list of branches where drive-through or curbside service will be available. (Please note that Cuyahoga County Public Library Branches will be closed on Saturday, July 4.)

Drive-through window service is available at 11 locations: 

Customers who wish to use our drive-through window service do not need to schedule a specific pick up time. You should bring your library card or have the library card number associated with the hold in order to pick up material. We recommend arriving at a drive-through location at least 15 minutes before closing to ensure staff will be available to assist you.

Curbside service will be offered at 16 locations beginning June 29: 

Staff will call customers when items placed on hold are available to schedule a pickup time. Customers should bring their library card (or have the library card number associated with the hold) and call the branch when they arrive in the parking lot for their scheduled pick up. Staff will then check out the materials and deliver them to your car.

Where can I get more information about Covid-19 

You can get the latest information at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
Reach the county library’s Covid-19 information page at   https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/LP/COVID-19.aspx

Read an explanation of the reopening process by the library’s executive director:

“Cuyahoga County Public Library closed its doors to the public as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus on March 13. In the months that followed our staff members have worked behind the scenes to reinvent our service delivery and create a thoughtful, responsible plan for a phased reopening.

“I’m pleased to announce that on Monday, July 6 we will enter the plan’s third phase – the reopening of our branches to the public. We will also expand curbside service beginning Monday, June 29. We are as excited to welcome customers back to the library as they are to return, but it will not be business as usual.

“Our road to reopening has been a sometimes frustrating journey. Some of our customers have asked, “If I can go to a restaurant or get my hair cut at a barbershop, why can’t I walk into my local library?” The short answer is that our top priority simply must be the health and safety of our staff and customers. That means continuing to follow the orders and guidance coming from Governor DeWine, the Ohio Department of Health and local public health officials. Before we could even begin responsibly lending materials again we had to secure adequate PPE for our staff, conduct safety training (virtually, of course), and develop an entirely new material handling process for lending and returns. Unlike restaurants and retail businesses, the materials we lend out come back to us. It took time to recalibrate our processes to account for the need to adequately quarantine returned materials.

“It has been a long road, but we are eager for your return. Trips to the library might look a little different for a while, but one thing remains the same. As your needs change, we change.”

Tracy R. Strobel
Executive Director
Cuyahoga County Public Library