A Letter to Maplewood Families

September 4, 2020

Dear Maplewood Families,

The Maplewood Memorial Library’s mission is to connect people to information, ideas, culture—and each other. We aim to provide excellent library service while keeping our community safe by following the guidelines set forth by the CDC, the Maplewood Public Health Division, the Office of the Governor and the New Jersey State Library.

As the new school year begins, we want to share how the library will serve you and your family within these parameters.

Most importantly, for everyone’s safety, the Library cannot currently serve as a location for your child to spend time. Please be advised that children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult in order to use the library, and all patron visits are limited to 30 minutes once per day.

Our safety measures include the following:

  • Proper face masks must be worn by anyone entering our buildings ages 2 & up, and social distancing maintained.

  • Building capacity at the Main Library is 25, including a Children’s Room capacity of 9. 

  • Building capacity at the Hilton Branch is 8. 

  • A limit of 3 people per household group may enter at one time, if space permits.

  • Time limit per library visit is 30 minutes once per day.

  • Recreational seating throughout the library has been removed and computer access is limited to account for social distancing.

  • Toys and all shared touch screen computers have been removed from the children’s room.

  • Public computer use is limited to one 30-minute session per person each day; no time extensions.

  • Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Quiet Rooms and Meeting Rooms are closed to the public.

  • On-site programming is suspended; all events and class visits are virtual.

  • Book donations are suspended for the foreseeable future and will be discarded. 

The following services are available:

  • Curbside pickup

  • Contactless checkout using self-checkout kiosks (card required) or the meeScan app

  • Ebooks, Eaudiobooks, digital movies, TV shows and magazines

  • Expanded Wifi outside both buildings

  • Reference help by phone, email or live chat via our website

  • Reader’s advisory services for all ages, by phone, email or live chat

  • Virtual storytimes

  • Research databases for kids, teens and adults

  • Job Search resources

  • Wireless printing

  • Copy and fax machines

  • Virtual programming, including our rescheduled Ideas Festival events

Main Library Hours

Open: Monday to Thursday 10 am – 6 pm
Friday 10 am – 5 pm
Curbside pickup: Monday – Friday 12 pm – 6 pm
Saturday 10 am – 1 pm

Hilton Branch Hours

Open: Monday to Thursday 10 am – 6 pm
Grab-and-Go pickup: 10 am – 6 pm

For library and program updates visit our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We thank you for your understanding and support, and look forward to seeing you soon. If you have any questions you can reach us at library@maplewoodlibrary.org or by phone at Main Library 973-762-1622 or Hilton Branch 973-762-1688.

NewsRobert Nealon