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Contactless Curbside Services

Holds Pickup | Mobile Printing | FAQ

Curbside Update - 03/09/21

Mobile printing is here! Curbside Service will be offered Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm.

  

Please note that new and existing holds will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that patrons who currently have available holds will be notified to make appointments first, and Library staff will be pulling on shelf holds in the order that they have been placed. We appreciate your patience as our Curbside Holds Pickup Service gets back up and running.

  

We are currently in the process of bringing Library staff back onsite, as well as implementing an appointment-based system to make picking up your Library holds easier than ever! We will also be introducing a new service Mobile Printing!

  

Curbside Holds 

  • Ready to pick up your hold? Visit our Curbside Appointment page and schedule a pickup! 

  • Hold not available yet? Library staff are working hard to get holds ready for appointments. Please wait to get a notice from the Library when your items are ready  before scheduling a pickup appointment.

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Mobile Printing 

 

 

How Curbside Holds Pickup Appointments and Service Works

 

The Contactless Curbside holds pickup process has changed! The San Leandro Public Library is here to make your life easier with appointments. 

  

Schedule a time slot to come to the Main Library and pickup your items from a table at the front of the Library. No need to call us when you arrive, just look for the bag with your name, then grab and go! Your library materials will be checked out on your account and ready for you to enjoy. 

  

Curbside Pickup Service is available by appointment on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 am-4:30pm. 

Here are all the details you’ll need to know: 

 

Step 1: Place your items on hold

Place items on hold through our library catalog. You’ll need your library card number and your PIN (last four digits of your phone number you used when you applied for your library card). Need help? Call 510-577-3971 during library business hours to talk with a library staff member or email Circulation@sanleandro.org for assistance.

 

 

 

Step 2: Wait for notification that your hold(s) are ready 

Wait for the Library to notify you that your hold(s) are ready for pickup! You’ll get either an email, phone call, or text notification when your hold(s) are ready, depending on how you set this up when you applied for your library card. 

 

Step 3: Schedule an appointment 

Schedule an appointment to come and get your holds! Choose a time slot and answer a few questions so we can have your library materials ready for you to pick up!

 

Step 4: Come to the Main Library during your appointment window

 Come to the Main Library during your appointment window. Since we know you are coming, there is no need to call or check in. You can go right up to the holds pickup table and locate your bag.

 

Look closely on the printed receipt for your last and first name and the last four digits of your library card number.

 

Step 5: Enjoy!

Grab your bag and go! Happy reading, watching, and listening!

 

For your safety and the safety of our staff, wear a face covering and stand at least 6 feet from staff and other library members. Staff will also be wearing face coverings when they place your items on the pickup table. 

 

 Mobile Printing

 

Curbside Service has expanded to include Mobile Printing! See the details below to learn how to take advantage of this new service. 

 

Curbside Mobile Printing Service will be available by appointment on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 am-4:30pm. 

 

Here are all the details you’ll need to know:

 

Step 1: Submit your print job

Submit your print job through our Mobile Printing Website. 

 

Step 2: Make an appointment to pickup your print job

Set up an appointment to pick up your print job(s) at the Main Library.

 

 

Step 3: Come to the Main Library during your appointment window

Come to the Main Library during your appointment window.

 

Step 4: Call the Library and confirm your print job

Call 510-577-3950 and talk with library staff to confirm we have the correct print job. Library staff will release your print job and bring it out to a Curbside table for a contactless exchange.

 

Questions? Please call our reference phone number during business hours at 510-577-3971.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 Do I have to pick up my holds now?

No, this is an optional service. Your current hold(s) will be held for 2 weeks after you receive your notification.  

 

How will I be notified about my hold?

Depending on how your library account is set up, it will be either an email, text message, or phone call. The Library highly recommends updating your notice preference to email or text. Email Circulation@sanleandro.org for more information.

 

How long will it take for my hold to be ready?

If the item you requested is showing a checked-in status, it should take around a week for it to be available to pickup. We are unable to give an estimate for library materials that are currently checked out. 

 

What are you doing to protect the safety of library members and staff?

The following steps are being taken to ensure everyone’s safety:

  • Staff is wearing face coverings, frequently washing hands, disinfecting surfaces, and practicing social distancing.
  • Preliminary research suggests that COVID-19 can only survive on surfaces for 2-3 days and on paper/cardboard for 24 hours.
  • When we receive materials, they are quarantined for at least 168 hours (7 days) before being handled.
  • We are limiting the number of staff who handle the items you have requested.
  • Disinfecting books with bleach and other cleaning products is not recommended. If you have concerns about handling items from the Library, you can simply leave them in the bag for 168 hours (7 days). 

How do I return materials?

The Main Library book drops are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Library due dates on all checked out items continue to be extended in 6 week increments so please return at your convenience.

 

What if my hold is at a location not offering no contact pickup service?

We have temporarily transferred all existing holds to the Main Library. For the time being, all holds will be available for pickup at the Main Library only.

 

Do I need a library card?

Yes, you need a San Leandro Public Library card to borrow physical library materials. Visit our website to apply for a library card online.  

 

What materials are available for pickup?

Physical library materials such as books and DVDs.

 

Will the Library be offering other services during Curbside pickup?

At this point in time, we are limiting our Curbside service to Library materials with holds. We are unsure when this service will expand, but are considering and evaluating other services keeping in mind the State and Alameda County guidelines, as well as the ability to implement new services with very minimal staff.

 

When will the Library start to receive new materials?

We are currently receiving newly purchased orders, however, we continue to work with minimal staff which is affecting our ability to get new items ready for our patrons. 

 

What if I’m over the checkout limit?

Staff will override checkout limits.

 

I prefer to browse the library collection. Can I just come in and safely look at the collection?

The Library's goal is to help protect your safety while providing as high a level of service as possible. Per Public Health Department orders, the Library is encouraged to provide "curbside" i.e. outside services. Because browsing our physical collection is a high-touch indoors practice, we believe foregoing this service at this point in time is the best way to protect our patrons and staff. 

 

If you are interested in learning how to use our online catalog to browse the collection and place holds, a Librarian can help you and walk you through the process by phone. Please call 510-577-3971 Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.

 

Can I place a hold via telephone?

Yes, please call our virtual reference phone line 510-577-3971, Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm to talk to a librarian and get assistance in placing materials on hold.

 

When will you add more no contact pickup service locations and how were locations chosen?

San Leandro Public Library will evaluate the response of our communities and potentially add more libraries to meet demand, as safety and staffing permit. 

  • The locations were chosen based on several criteria, including:?
  • Number of existing holds
  • Geographic location
  • Size of physical collection
  • Building layout allowances for safe social distancing of staff
  • Building exterior features including parking lots

When will the Library reopen?

We are still operating under the guidance of the State and Alameda County. We do not currently have a date for when the Library will reopen.