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

Some Resources Still Available

Updated 5-11-2020

 

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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Library Statement, updated May 11:

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With Butler County moving to the Yellow Phase on May 15, 2020, under Pennsylvania’s three phase matrix, the Butler County Federated Library System member library buildings will remain closed to the public and staff will return to the buildings to prepare their facilities for a phased re-opening.

 

Beginning Monday, May 18, 2020, libraries’ outdoor book drops will be open for you to return currently checked-out materials. The materials will undergo a quarantine period so items may be listed on your account after you’ve returned them. Due dates for items checked out between February 1 and March 14 have been extended until June 15th and will be modified as needed. No late fees should accrue on materials that were originally due during the closure period. Placing a hold on items will be temporarily disabled.

 

Like many businesses and government agencies, our plan to resume regular services will happen in stages, with the safety of our patrons and staff as a priority. Please check your local library’s website and social media accounts for the most up to date information on the library’s plan to restore services. We encourage you to continue to use all the electronic resources available through your library’s e-resource page on their website. You can visit www.bcfls.org for more information on e-resources and links to the BCFLS member libraries.

 

FAQ:

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

Don’t worry! Due dates for all materials checked out between February 1 and March 14 have been extended to June 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. 

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The Butler Area Public Library's outside book drop will reopen on Monday, May 18. Until that time, please do not leave any materials outside of the book drop. Keep all borrowed materials, and return them to the book drop on or after May 18. 

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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 June 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?

Your ability to place a hold on items is temporarily disabled. Your existing holds remain on your library account and your place in line will not change.  However, no holds will be filled until the libraries can re-open. Once we can open, holds will resume being filled in the order they were received. 

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

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