Marin libraries to reopen with limited services
30-minute visits allowed for many locations beginning Monday
The Marin County Free Library will be reopening most of its branches Monday after months of forced COVID-19 closures, officials announced.
In-person browsing and select services will be allowed for up to 30 minutes per visit in a temporary experience dubbed “Library Express Service.” Visitors will be required to wear a mask and abide by social-distancing protocols.
“After a long year of only providing outdoor services, we are absolutely thrilled to open our doors once again,” said Gabriella Calicchio, interim director of the county library system. “Libraries play such an important role in our community from providing information and research to offering a sense of place for creative and cultural thinking, we welcome our friends and patrons back with socially distanced open arms and open books.”
The branches that will begin opening include Bolinas, Fairfax, Inverness, Novato, Point Reyes Station and Stinson Beach. Reopening for the Civic Center, Marin City and South Novato branches is expected next month, while the Corte Madera branch remains under construction. Curbside services will continue to be available at all branches.
“We really had to transform our spaces,” said Raemona Little Tyler, deputy director of county library services. “Historically, our libraries have been like community centers, or gathering hubs and with the community health guidelines, we had to reimagine that.”
That’s why all branches are not reopening at once, she said.
“We don’t want to do too much at once and end up having to take away services,” she said. “That’s why we wanted to do a phased reopening with a really intentional and measured approach.”
Carmen Alvarado Cruz, a Bolinas resident who speaks Spanish, said she’s been a library customer in West Marin for the past