UPDATE: - Includes corrected hours of operation for the Orchard Mesa and Palisade branches

All eight Mesa County Public Library locations throughout the county plan to reopen to the public on a limited basis on Monday, June 8. What changes can you expect?

The various MCPL locations have been closed since March 14. What have employees been up to during that time? In addition to offering several services remotely, library staff has been rearranging shelves and furniture to comply with social distancing guidelines. They've even installed those see-through shields at the service desks.

Library officials wish to emphasize that the library experience will be different than before the closure. Some furniture has been rearranged, and certain materials, such as holds, have been moved. Toys have been removed from the children's areas.

Keep an eye on the entrances and exits at the various locations. Doorways have been designated entrances and exits to reduce cross-traffic. For example, the central branch has designated the west door as the entrance, and the east door will be exit-only.

All eight locations will reopen on a limited basis, with modified hours of operations:

    • Central Library downtown Grand Junction - Noon-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; Noon-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday; closed Sunday
    • Palisade and Orchard Mesa Branch - Noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; Noon-5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
    • Clifton and Fruita Branch - Noon - 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; Noon-5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
    • Collbran Branch - Noon-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; Noon-5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
    • De Beque Branch: 9 a.m.-4 p.m Friday
    • Gateway Branch: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday

Noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; Noon-5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday

If you would like to book time at the 970West Studio, reservations will begin June 8 for studio time in July.

Just like anywhere else at this time, the number of visitors in the building at any given time will have to be limited. Patrons will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are encouraged to wear a mask.

Are you familiar with the book drops located outside of the library locations? You are asked to use those to return materials as opposed to going into the building.

Some programs, storytimes, for example, will continue to be done via social media. You can watch storytimes on Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 10 a.m. on the MCPL Facebook page. Online services such as eAudiobooks and ebooks are available on the library website.

Even after reopening, curbside pick-up will continue to be available at all MCPL locations. Word on the street is library patrons enjoy this service.

Hold the phone. What if you don't have a library card and are unable to check out materials? It's kind of difficult to get a library card when the place is closed to the public. If you are a Mesa County resident, you can get a library card online at mesacountylibraries.org/services/library-cards.

I am a huge fan of the Mesa County Libraries and have missed the place. Yes, there are online services such as ebooks, but those services are far too digital for my analog brain. I like books, preferably those with lots of pictures. I can't wait to visit the library when they reopen to the public on June 8.

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