Anacostia, Benning Libraries Open for Take-Out

Call Ahead to Request Books

Library customers can now borrow and return physical items from the DC Public Library. It’s part of a phased plan to reopen the District and to again offer services to residents.

Starting Monday, June 8, the Anacostia Neighborhood Library (1800 Good Hope Rd. SE) will offer take-out service from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays. Additionally, remote printing, which allows

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

customers to send documents electronically for printing, will be available.

The gradual reopening of library started with the Anacostia and Cleveland Park libraries which began offering take-out service at designated points near the library entrances as of May 29. Customers will also be able to return items at these locations.

Starting June 8, the Anacostia library will offer book

A man walks by the Anacostia Neighborhood Library (1800 Good Hope Rd. SE) Photo: Elizabeth O’Gorek.

take-out service on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Additionally, remote printing, which allows customers to send documents electronically for printing, is also available. Customers are also able to return items to the Benning Library, 3935 Benning Rd. NE, from 1 to 5 p.m.

The public is not permitted inside any library buildings. When customers arrive, they must provide staff their name and library card number. Reserved items are placed on a table outside. Customers are required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing while waiting. Markers will be placed outside the library entrance denoting six-foot increments.

Currently, residents have more than 200,000 items checked out, the equivalent of about three neighborhood libraries’ worth of materials. The phased approach allows staff to retrieve items and process them in a safe manner. The returned books will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before being checked in.

It is an opportune time to return books, as there are no longer any late fees. The DCPL Board of Trustees voted to eliminate all overdue fines during its May board meeting.

DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan said he was pleased that the library is ready to begin the phased reintroduction of neighborhood services. “We especially want to give customers an early opportunity to bring back the books they’ve had in their homes for the past three months,” he added.

Customers can request materials for take-out service by calling the Library at (202) 747-1017 for adult materials, (202) 747-5054 for youth materials and visiting dclibrary.org to use the catalog or chat service. Library staff will work with the customer to schedule a pickup location.

Learn more about DC Public Libraries by visiting www.dclibrary.org u

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