Multnomah County Library has announced several plans for this summer, including programs, holiday closures and expanding pickup service for holds while the buildings stay closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

The library has expanded pickup service for holds to several of its more than 20 locations, such as Belmont, Capitol Hill, Gregory Heights, Holgate, Hollywood, Kenton, Rockwood and St. Johns, according to a press release. The library plans to open a few more locations for pickup next week.

Its certainly the service we can safely provide right now, said Chelsea Bailey, spokesperson for the library. Now we feel like we have the staffing and operational setup to expand that service.

People are encouraged to wear a mask and practice social distancing while using library services, according to the release. Holds can be placed either through the online catalog or by calling the library.

Bailey said holds pickup services were only available by appointment to maintain social distancing. She said the library staff went through a daily health screening before coming into work and theyre required to wear gloves and a face mask. Any materials that are returned are quarantined for 72 hours before being put back on shelves.

Bailey said the libraries closed in March along with the rest of businesses around the country. Phone lines went unanswered up until June 7, and library staff began hearing from community members about wanting to be able to check out books still.

We know this is a service the community has been looking for, Bailey said.

Book drop-offs are open at all locations except Sellwood-Moreland Library and Albina Library, according to the release. The Sellwood-Moreland Library will have a drop-off location after the building is re-carpeted and the Albina location is currently being relocated.

There are no overdue fines on any returned items. Bailey said when the libraries closed, they didnt want people who had items still checked out to worry about late fees piling up.

We know this pandemic has had a great toll on a lot of people and we dont want library fines to be a worry for the community, Bailey said.

Multnomah County Library will be closed June 19 in celebration of Juneteenth, according to the release. This comes after Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury declared Juneteenth an annual paid County holiday for all the countys employees. Holds pickup service will continue on June 20, according to the release.

The librarys Summer Reading program will be online this year, according to the release. Children of all ages can log each day they read or listen to a book, do activities related to the reading from June 15 to August 31 and win prizes. Once participants have read for 45 days total, theyve completed the game and will receive a T-shirt, as well as coupons for local entertainment and more.

The library is also offering its reading program for adults called Read 4 Life online. Adults who join can read or listen to four books throughout the summer and earn entries into prize drawings, according to the release.

Bailey said the library began offering an online version of the reading program to teenagers last year. She said in a normal year the reading program had more than 100,000 participants and around 800 volunteers, making it the librarys largest volunteer program. The in-person volunteer program isnt happening this year due to the pandemic, but a small amount of volunteers are helping run the program virtually.

Bailey said shes unsure when the libraries will open back up and that it depends on when the county moves into Phase 1 of reopening amid the pandemic. She said the library was continuing to evaluate whether or not all branches would be able to open in later phases, but they hoped to expand the services theyre providing right now until then.

-- Ty Vinson

tvinson@oregonian.com

503-221-4315; @ty_vinson_

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Multnomah County Library continues opening pickup/drop-off locations, starts online reading program - OregonLive