The Library and COVID-19

virtual e-card

Virtual Ecards

As a result of the Library’s temporary closure, the Bryan + College Station Public Library System instituted a Virtual eCard to allow patrons who do not currently have a BCSPLS card to access our digital collection without having to have a physical library card.

Your virtual eCard provides access to all library’s online resources, including our eBooks, digital streaming media, digital audio books, digital magazines and more.

This page will be updated with new information as we have it.

STARTING JUNE 29 (CS) AND JUNE 30 (BRYAN)

Face masks will be required for patrons entering all libraries of the Bryan+College Station Public Library System

Mayors for the Cities of Bryan and College Station have issued emergency orders requiring face masks to be worn in all businesses. These orders will take effect on Monday, June 29, 2020 for College Station and Tuesday, June 30, 2020 for Bryan. The orders ask for all persons age 10 or older, which is in guidelines with CDC, to wear face covering while conducting business for the health and safety of the citizens. This is to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the most vulnerable members of the community. Governor Abbott has issued a statewide mask requirement, which goes into effect at 12:01 p.m. on Friday, July 3, 2020. For more information on the orders, please visit…

Phased Reopening Plan for BCS Library System

As the state of Texas begins to gradually reopen public spaces, the Bryan + College Station Public Library System will also reopen in phases, to ensure patrons and staff remain healthy and safe.

STARTING ON MAY 18 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Libraries will open at 50% occupancy for come-and-go activities during the following hours:

Clara B. Mounce Public Library

Monday, Wednesday and Friday:  9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Larry J. Ringer Library

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Carnegie History Center

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Curbside Service

Curbside service will be available at Mounce and Ringer Libraries on Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Library patrons are encouraged to continue placing items on hold and using the curbside and book drop services.

Patrons can place holds on items online or by phone:
Mounce: (979) 209-5600
Ringer: (979) 764-3416

When you arrive to pick up items, please call the library to notify staff that you are outside. You will be asked to park in designated parking, remain in car and pop trunk for staff to place checked out items.

Other Services and Information

  • Librarians will continue to provide adult and youth programming on the BCS Library System’s social media pages.
  • Computers will be available for use for one hour, with social distancing protocols in place.
  • Meeting room spaces are closed during the duration of this phased opening.
  • Patrons should conduct in-person business at the libraries as quickly as possible in order to reduce in-person contact with others.
  • Patrons also will be asked to observe social distancing guidelines by staying at least 6 feet from anyone not in their household.
  • Library staff will ensure the facilities are continually disinfected in accordance with CDC protocols.
  • Further reopening and expansion of hours will be shared as they come available. Patrons are encouraged to check bcslibrary.org for updates.

May 11- 16

  • Libraries will open at 25% occupancy for come-and-go activities during the following hours: Clara B. Mounce Public Library – Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m.; Larry J. Ringer Library and Carnegie History Center – Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Library patrons are encouraged to continue placing items on hold and using the curbside and book drop services.
  • Librarians will continue to provide adult and youth programming on the BCS Library System’s social media pages.
  • Computers will be available for use, with social distancing protocols in place.

Meeting room spaces are closed during the duration of this phased opening. Patrons should conduct in-person business at the libraries as quickly as possible in order to reduce in-person contact with others. Patrons also will be asked to observe social distancing guidelines by staying at least 6 feet from anyone not in their household.

Library staff also will ensure the facilities are continually disinfected in accordance with CDC protocols.

May 4-8

  • Library buildings remain closed, but curbside hold pickup services will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Clara B. Mounce Public Library and Larry J. Ringer Public Library.
  • Patrons can place holds on items online or by phone – Mounce: 979.209.5600; Ringer: 979.764.3416. When they arrive to pick up items, they should call the library to notify staff that they are outside. They will be asked to park in designated parking, remain in their car and pop their trunk for staff to place checked out items.
  • Adult and youth librarians will continue to provide programming on the BCS Library System’s social media pages.

May 1

  • Libraries will remain closed, but library patrons may begin returning items to book drops.
  • Patrons can begin to place holds online.
  • Librarians will continue to provide adult and youth programming on the BCS Library System’s social media pages.

Here’s the latest updates

Our libraries will begin phased reopening amid the COVID-19 situation on May 1. But we wanted to make sure that our patrons know about their options for accessing library services and learning resources without visiting our physical sites. We care very much about our patrons, so we’re working to make sure that we can still have resources available to everyone.

  • The Bryan + College Station Library System is currently closed, but will begin phased reopening on May 1.
  • The library system has extended due dates on library card registrations and items checked out until June 1.
  • All library patrons will be able to use online resources for free, including checking out digital books, magazines, audiobooks and more.
  • Book drops will be reopened starting on May 1. Please keep all checked out materials safe at home with you and your families. This includes ILL items.
  • The library system’s website, BCSLibrary.org, will be available through the closure, and streaming videos and resources are available on the library system’s social media pages.
  • The AARP Tax Foundation Tax-Aides have suspended services until further notice.

What the cities are doing

Information from the CDC

Library resources available online

Library resources available during the closure

Library Card Renewal

Other online resources to tide you over

(If you do not have a library card or are looking for additional content)

Interact with us on social media

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are there any library resources I can use while branches are closed?
Yes. Bryan + College Station Public Library System provides a wide variety of electronic resources, including e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, streaming videos, and more online resources for borrowing or viewing.

What if my items are due? Will I accrue late fees?
The due dates for all checked-out circulating materials will be extended. No late fees should accrue on materials that were originally due during the closure period.

Can I place new holds through the catalog?
Due to the closure, physical hold requests can be made online beginning May 1 or by phone beginning May 4. These holds will be available for curbside pickup. Electronic holds such as e-books and e-audiobooks will still be available.

Can I apply for a library card?
During our period of closure, we are unable to register new patrons for physical library cards. But when the libraries reopen to patrons at 25% capacity starting on May 11, new applicants can visit their local library to obtain and validate their physical library card. If you don’t have a physical library card, why don’t you try out our Virtual Ecard that will give you access to all of our digital collections while we’re closed.

My library card is about to expire. How can I renew?
Library card accounts that had expired from January 1, 2020 to the present have been automatically renewed through June 1, 2020. For all other dates that fall outside of this, contact us through our online contact form and provide us with your library card number so we may renew your account through the June 1, 2020 date.

I have a question about my account? Is there anyone that can help me?
If you have any questions about your account or how to access digital resources, please use our online contact form.

Cancellations

    • All in-person programs and events cancelled indefinitely, some moved online
    • AARP Tax-Aide cancelled until further notice
    • Meet and Greet with Beatrice “Bea” Saba – postponed, new date TBA
    • Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale – postponed, new date TBA
    • Book donations halted
    • Meyer Book Club postponed until Fall 2020
    • All other book club meetings moved online
Last updated 7/6/2020
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