Starting next week, the Chapel Hill Public Library is changing the way library patrons can pick up their books and other materials during the pandemic.

Beginning Monday, July 27, the Chapel Hill Public Library will make adjustments to its materials pick up service.  Instead of the previous curbside pickup model, the library will now use a “Park & Pick Up” service.

Park & Pick Up users will call ahead, park in the library’s parking lot, and pick up their items outside the library’s main entrance.

When preparing to pick up, users will place holds in the library’s online catalog, receive an email notice when the items are ready, and wait 24 hours before calling to arrange pick up. On the day of pick up, users will call 919-932-2942 to notify staff.

When picking up materials, the library asks that users park in the upper parking lot, wear a mask, and walk to the library’s main entrance. From there, library staff will retrieve an distribute all requested items.

The Park & Pick Up service will be available Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed on Wednesday and Sunday.

According to the Town of Chapel Hill’s website, this new system was created with sustainability in mind, both for the environment and for staff.

Assistant Director Meeghan Rosen said the curbside model had two major negatives, which eventually led to the change.

“Cars were idling in long lines and in hot weather and creating a high amount of emissions,” Rosen said. “For staff, the curbside model required a lot of people to constantly run inside and outside in the heat.”

Rosen said she expects that this new Park & Pick Up process will reduce emissions and staff fatigue, as well as reduce wait times and lines.

In the first month of using the curbside model, the library served almost 400 users each day, checking out an average of just over 1,000 items daily.

Like most public libraries in the area, Chapel Hill Public Library’s building remains closed to the public due to COVID-19. The Library’s catalog is available anytime, as are a variety of digital content and online resources. Information about the Library, online resources, and how to get an account can be found here.

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