(August 6, 2020) — Sanibel Public Library has announced an immediate closure of the building to the public. The Library will continue with public phone and email support Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and contact-free curbside pickup from noon to 3 p.m. on weekdays.
The temporary closure is due to safety concerns for staff and library users. The Library’s eShelf and all online services remain available 24/7.
“Out of concern for staff and public we are conducting a deep sanitizing, and need to temporarily close the facility for public use. The Library facility is physically closed for now, but open for digital borrowing,” said Library Executive Director Margaret Mohundro. Watch the Library’s website, local newspapers, and social media for updates. All user fees have been waived during the closure, there will be no overdue fines assessed.
The contactless curbside service continues on weekdays, allowing patrons to pick up Library books and other material in the parking garage. Call or go online to place a hold, you will be notified when your items are ready for pickup. Holds will be maintained during the closure, if patrons cannot pick up their curbside holds at this time.
The Library’s public WiFi works for most devices, outside of the building in the parking lot areas.
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.
Sanibel Public Library offers more than 6,000 eBooks and audiobooks via the OverDrive Libby app. “Since December 2019, we have seen an increase of 35% in downloads via OverDrive,” according to Mohundro. In early April, Sanibel Public Library Foundation provided a $5,000 grant for additional eBook support. The grant allows the Library to increase the number of popular fiction and nonfiction eBooks.
“Support from the Library Foundation has increased funding to obtain additional eBooks and audiobooks,” said Mohundro. The eShelf use has grown as Library users continue to read, view, and listen to online resources.
To add more choices of OverDrive eBooks to borrow, you can add additional library collections ie: SWFLN (Southwest Florida Library Network). Tap on the ‘Add a Library’ from within the Libby app. When borrowing eBooks from SWFLN, use your Sanibel Public Library card number in the Libby app. Your PIN should be the last four digits of your Sanibel Public Library card number.
The Hoopla Digital app also allows users to stream eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, comics, and music. With Hoopla all material can be accessed simultaneously (no holds).
Downloadable magazines, including Prevention, Star, Reader’s Digest, Harper’s Bazaar, and Food Network Magazine, are available through the RB digital app. Sanibel’s most popular downloaded magazines are Newsweek, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, OK!, National Geographic, and O, The Oprah Magazine.
Library cardholders can stream from Kanopy, which showcases more than 30,000 titles, including award-winning documentaries, indies, and classics. Popular titles on Kanopy include The Florida Project (2017), Leave No Trace (2018), The Skeleton Twins (2014), and For Sama (2019).
The Freegal music app offers access to about 13 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists.
During the closure, Library staff has been creating “how to” videos from their homes. To see the videos, go to the News Blog at https://sanlib.org/blog.
Operationally, the Library notes:
• All overdue fines and user fees are waived during the closure;
• The Library is implementing automatic renewal of library cards;
• All books and other materials placed on hold by users will be suspended and remain on hold for pickup when Library reopens;
• The book drops are open;
• The Library’s eShelf and all online services remain available 24/7.
The Library is providing further information and frequent updates on its website www.sanlib.org. Questions and comments may be directed to the email listed on the website: notices@sanlib.org.
Sanibel Public Library cards are available to all residents of Sanibel and Lee County, Florida, at no charge. Visitor cards are available for a $10 fee, and are good for one year.
Sanibel Public Library is located at 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. For more information about the Sanibel Public Library, call (239) 472-2483, or visit online at www.sanlib.org.