August 2020: Library is open to the Public
Sanibel Public Public Library users can browse bookshelves, use computers, read magazines, connect to WiFi and more as the SPL is open for summer hours. Patrons have access to the full collection of books, movies, and newspapers, as well as high speed WiFi and public use computers.
Hover your cursor to use the clickable links:
Precautions are in place to help protect staff and patrons from COVID-19. Patrons will have to maintain social distance inside the building and wear a face covering, (except for children age six and under). Library staff is implementing safety and sanitation procedures consistent with the CDC, State of Florida Department of Health, and City of Sanibel guidelines. Hand sanitizer and disposable masks are available to the public. Staff is cleaning and disinfecting service desks, computers, keyboards, tabletops, chairs, door handles, restrooms, and other high-touch surfaces throughout the facility. Patrons are asked to stay home if they have a fever or are sick.
In-person programming like storytime is suspended for now. There will be no meetings scheduled for the Meeting rooms.
Two study rooms near East Service Desk are open, ready for booking via SPL Website: click here. After a study room has been used, staff completes a wipedown of area.
Signs are posted to remind everyone to practice social distancing, wash hands, and comply with the City of Sanibel’s mask mandate.
Patrons who want to social distance are encouraged to try the Library’s meeScan app. MeeScan is a self-checkout service with two different ways to self-checkout. Click here for more info about meeScan. Using meeScan, patrons can check-out their items from anywhere in the Library.
The “Tech IT Out” service offers Library cardholders an easy way to borrow a Dell laptop or MacBook Air for use anywhere inside the building. Tech IT Out was a pilot project funded in part by the Sanibel Public Library Foundation several years ago, as part of its investment in innovative technology. The Tech IT Out kiosk offers a choice of six Dell laptops and six Macbook laptops. To make social distancing easier, patrons can sit at any table or chair in the Library, and use the laptop for up to three hours. The Macs offer apps like Keynote, Google Chrome, FaceTime, and GarageBand. The Dells have PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and even games like Mahjong.
Sanibel Public Library’s “Fill-A-Bag for A Dollar” book sale will continue until inventory is depleted. The books will be restocked daily, and can be found in the Library’s puzzle area as well as main entrance areas.
Contactless Curbside Services Continues:
The Library is continuing the popular Contactless Curbside Service for materials requested on hold. “The contact-free curbside pickup has been very popular,” said Candy Heise, Sanibel Public Library’s Adult Services Coordinator, adding, “we will continue to offer this service, with the same pickup times of weekdays from noon to 3 p.m.”
You can place item(s) on hold online, or make requests by calling the Library at (239) 472-2483. You will be notified when your items are ready for pickup. Patrons will have three days (excluding Saturday and Sunday) to pick up items.
There is a table set up outside the first sliding door entrance of the Library’s parking garage. The bags are in alphabetical order. Items will already be checked out and in a green bag with patron’s name on it.
Patrons may return items to a book drop; one is located outside the west front entrance, the other is located in the second parking garage. After books, DVDs, magazines, and other materials are returned to the Library, they are quarantined for a minimum of 24 hours. All overdue fines and user fees are waived at this time.
Other Library services:
Families can stop by the Children’s Area to pick up a craft-to-go bag (quantities limited). Look for the white bags on Miss Deanna’s desk.
Interlibrary Loan is now available.
Stop by the Sanibel Public Library’s main entrance lobby for voter registration forms and applications for mail-in ballots in both English and in Spanish.
Use the Selfie Station in the main lobby, to take a photo posing with your family. You can email the photos to yourself or to friends up north.
To access all of the Library’s online services, choose “eShelf” from the homepage menu. Your PIN is the last four digits of your Library card. You can also ask for help via email: notices@sanlib.org. The Library’s eShelf and all online services are available 24/7.
Sanibel Public Library card holders can borrow eBooks and audiobooks via the OverDrive Libby app. Your PIN should be the last four digits of your Sanibel Public Library card number. Check out the “Hints & Tips” for OverDrive Libby here: https://sanlib.org/2020/03/01/libby_overdrive_hints_tips/
The Hoopla Digital app also allows users to stream movies, TV shows, comics, and music. With Hoopla all material can be accessed simultaneously (no holds).
The Library also offers Mango – an online language learning tool, with more than 700 languages offered. Mango can be used on a desktop or mobile device. The app can be used offline if you’re not on WiFi.
Downloadable magazines, including Reader’s Digest, Prevention, National Geographic, Star, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, and Bon Appétit, are available through the RB digital app.
Library cardholders can also use the popular on-demand video streaming service Kanopy on desktop, Roku, iOS, and Android devices. Kanopy showcases more than 30,000 titles, including award-winning documentaries, hard-to-find films, indies, and classics.
The Freegal music app offers access to about 13 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists.
Need help downloading eBooks or help with Library apps? Call the Library at (239) 472-2483 to request an appointment, or schedule tech help at: sanlib.org/TechAppointment
Students can access Encyclopedia Britannica’s vast collection of entries, multimedia content, magazine and journal articles, primary sources and e-books, web resources, and a world atlas. Search by keyword, or browse among topic areas and biographies. Start at the SPL’s Resources page at sanlib.org. Also found at the Resources page – thousands of recipes at AtoZ World Food or AtoZ Food America.
Questions and comments may be directed to: notices@sanlib.org.
Sanibel Public Library’s summer schedule; open Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Library is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays during the summer. Starting Saturday, September 5, 2020, the Library returns to “season” schedule, and is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
