Precautionary Closure of Butler Area Public Library Due to Covid-19: 

Some Resources Still Available

 

For the health and safety of our community and staff, and as directed by the PA Department of Education Office of Commonwealth Libraries, the Butler Area Public Library's closure has now been extended until further notice.

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FAQ:

I have materials currently checked out, what do I do?

Don’t worry! Due dates for all materials currently checked out have been extended to May 15th and we will continue to extend dates as the situation progresses. Overdue fines will not be applied during this time. Continue to enjoy the materials you have checked out until we are open. 

The Butler Area Public Library's outside book drop is closed. Please do not leave any materials outside of the book drop. Keep all borrowed materials, and return them when the library re-opens. 

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Can I renew an expired library card during the closure?

Recently expired library cards should now have a new expiration date of May 15th. If you previously received an “expired card” error while trying to access your library account or eresources, please try again. If you are still having trouble, please email your name and library card number to baplreference@bcfls.org.

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Can I place an item on hold? What happens to my existing holds?

Patrons can still sign into their library accounts and place titles on hold, but no holds will be fulfilled until the libraries can re-open. Once we can open, holds will resume being filled in the order they were received. Your place in line for pre-existing holds will not change.

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I don’t have a card. Can I still get ebooks?

Yes! If you do not have a library card, you can get an Instant Digital Card through OverDrive using your cell phone number. This digital card will give you immediate access to ebooks and audiobooks. Please note that this card number is just for OverDrive and will not work for other databases. 

To sign up, go to lamb.overdrive.com or the OverDrive app, and choose “Sign up for an instant digital card.” 

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eResources

Check out butlerlibrary.info/eresources for links to eresources and instructions. Resources include OverDrive (ebooks and audiobooks), Flipster (digital magazines), Freegal (streaming music), Mango (language learning), and Pennsylvania's Electronic Library (POWER Library). Genealogy research eresources Heritage Quest and Ancestry Library Edition are available at butlerlibrary.info/genealogy.  

We have created video tutorials to help you access these resources for the first time. 

OverDrive video: The OverDrive App

Flipster video: How to Access Flipster

Freegal video: Freegal Music: Free Music with Your Library Account

Ancestry video: How to Access Ancestry Library Edition From Home

 

If you have a question not addressed here, email baplreference@bcfls.org, message us privately on Facebook, or leave a message at 724-287-1715.

 

Library staff continues to monitor local, state, and federal recommendations regarding the response to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

 

Thank you for your patience!

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Download a copy of this FAQ here.

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For a list of local resources, including food, shelter, internet, unemployment, and support hotlines, please click here.

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Library Statement, updated March 31st:

​On March 13th, the Office of Commonwealth Libraries directed that all public libraries close as part of the governor’s effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In the interest of the safety of our patrons and the community, the Butler Area Public Library will close until further notice.

 

The library building will be closed to the public during this time. All scheduled library programs and room reservations are canceled through April 30th. Information regarding future dates for rescheduled library-sponsored programs will be made available.

 

The library will relax borrowing policies during the state-mandated closure. Due dates will be extended and late fees will not apply. You can continue to enjoy the items you have borrowed now, and materials can be returned once the library reopens.

 

The library has many free electronic resources. Ebook and audiobook downloads, digital magazines, research databases, and other electronic resources are available remotely to library card holders. Please see www.butlerlibrary.info/eresources for links and instructions on account setup and use. 

 

Library staff will regularly check email and voicemail during this time to answer reference questions regarding patron accounts, electronic resources, or other general reference questions. Call 724-287-1715 to leave a message or email baplreference@bcfls.org.

 

The library will continue to monitor this ongoing situation.  For updates, see our website www.butlerlibrary.info.

 

We appreciate your patience at this time.

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Download a copy of this statement here.

 

 

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