Chapel Hill readers and community members will soon be able to browse the books stacks of the Chapel Hill Public Library once again.

The library shared a message on Thursday announcing the main level of its building will reopen Thursday, July 8, to a limited capacity of patrons looking to browse its book collections. Sunday hours of operation are also being restored on July 11.

“I know that many of you have been patiently waiting for this to happen,” said Director of the Chapel Hill Public Library Susan Brown, “while we’ve been working hard to prepare our spaces and our staff to take this next step on our Path to Reopening.”

The announcement nearly two months after the library initially reopened its building to patrons, after maintaining a drop-off and pick-up service for books and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Allowing inside browsing marks one of the final levels of the Path to Reopening, with full service and no restrictions representing the end.

Brown said Thursday library staff is requesting patrons keep their visits brief due to occupancy limits in place for some areas of the building. Face masks will also be strongly suggested for all patrons, as it is Town of Chapel Hill policy that they are worn in town facilities.

“Our staff will continue to wear masks and we ask that you do as well,” wrote Brown. “That’s because we serve so many kids under 12 and they are not vaccinated yet.”

Sunday hours of operation will return to being 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the same as Saturday hours. The library is also open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Chapel Hill Public Library’s announcement comes as another library in the community is set to reopen its indoor services. The Orange County Public Library will reopen its Main Library building on July 6 with social distancing measures in place. It’s part of the Orange County Transformation Plan, which is the county government’s plan to gradually reopen facilities to the public throughout July.

For more information on the Chapel Hill Public Library’s Path to Reopening, visit its website.

 

Photo via the Chapel Hill Public Library.

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