Last Tuesday, May 26, Magee Public Library and Mendenhall Public Library, part of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) serving Rankin, Scott, Simpson and Smith counties, began offering curbside service to its patrons after several weeks of closure due to COVID-19.
Available services include copying, faxing, printing, notary and library materials pickup. Operational hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. only. It will be necessary to call the library in advance and upon arrival as the physical plant is not yet open to patrons. Magee will work with patrons in their front foyer or curbside if the patron so desires. In Mendenhall a librarian will meet patrons at their car.
While no appointments are necessary, some restrictions apply to each service. There is a limit of five items total per library card used, as in books, magazines, DVDs, etc. Fit kits, story kits or baking pans are not available for check out at this time.
Both libraries require the use of the wireless printing application PrinterOn to print documents from wireless electronics. It can be downloaded or utilized through the CMRLS website cmrls.lib.ms.us. Costs associated with copies, faxes, print jobs and notary services remain the same. For copies and prints the cost is .20 per page/black and white and .50 per page/color. Faxes are $1 per page. If utilizing the notary, a picture ID such as a driver’s license will be necessary and the cost is $5.
CMRLS Director Mara V. Polk has worked tirelessly with the Board of Trustees since the doors closed in mid March. She says that “safety first” has been uppermost in her mind for all library employees as well as the patrons. “I have worked with my team to procure the necessary supplies to have librarians return to work safely. Each librarian was provided with masks and access to disposable gloves. While I was creating our plan, all of our librarians were working from home, participating in professional webinars and reviewing current library reference services. Curbside Services is only Phase Three of seven total phases.”
Currently both branches are offering free books from the sale room to anyone interested. These can be found outside the building. Neither branch is accepting any donations of books, bags, or any other items at this time.
“I want our valued CMRLS patrons to know that we will eventually be open for patrons to physically visit us again. During this time, we ask that our patrons be patient with us and know that we will take care of them the best way we can,” explained Polk.
Magee Library may be reached by calling 601-849-3747. Mendenhall Library’s telephone number is 601-847-2181.
