Director's Corner: Update from the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

 Director's Corner

Contributed by John Owen, Director

To all of our patrons, families, and stakeholders,

Governor Hogan has lifted the state of Emergency across the state of Maryland as of July 1.

What does that mean for the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled?

1)  The whole of our staff will be returning to the library building as of July 1.  As you know, we've had a core group of staff members at the library on a daily basis throughout the pandemic making sure books and materials were sent out and returns processed, and we handled our reference desk, programming and other functions remotely.  Now staff that were working remotely will be returning to the library building on a regular schedule.

2)  We are covering our reference desk live once again.  A librarian will be available by phone between 9 AM and 4 PM to take your calls.  If your call goes to our voicemail, please leave a message.  Our librarians are on other calls and will get back to you as soon as they can, usually the same day.  And you can continue to email us also.

3)  We anticipate opening for patron visits around July 8.  We have arranged the common areas to allow for safe distancing as necessary.  Computer use will be available, as well as walk-in service for materials.  Please wait for an announcement from us.  

4)  Library hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.  For the next few months, the library building will remain closed on the second Saturday of the month. Look for further news on that scheduling in the future.   

 

4)  If you still prefer, you can use our curbside service to pick up or drop off materials during library hours.  

5)  Technology User Group will continue to meet by teleconference only at the pre-scheduled dates and times.  The format has proved quite successful over the last year with the opportunity for larger attendance of patrons from a wide geographical range. 

6)  Downloads of audiobooks and electronic books are available through BARD any time of day as usual. Bookshare subscribers through our library also have access to that collection too.

You can contact us by calling the reference desk at 410-230-2443 or emailing reference.desk@maryland.gov.  

Please let us know if you have any questions and concerns as we move forward to the next stage of our service.  

Thank you.

John Owen