Library by Appointment

The inside of the library is open by appointment.  Appointments may be made online through Schedulicity or by calling Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; and Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.  We must limit the number of people in the building at any given time.  Patrons may schedule one appointment per day.

Library by Appointment hours are offered during the following times:

Monday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Thursday, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

What kind of appointments can I make?

There are three types of appointments available:

1. Grab-n-Go
2. Browsing
3. Technical Services

1. Grab-n-Go

Grab-n-Go appointments are for those patrons who only wish to pick up already-existing holds.  Items will be checked out to patrons before they arrive and placed on a table with an individual ID code.  Your ID code is the first two letters of your last name followed by the first two letters of your first name.  (example: SMJO for John Smith).

Grab-n-Go patrons enter the library and check in with Circulation Desk staff, who then direct them to the table that contains their library materials.  Items are already checked out- there is no need to stand in line at the Circulation Desk.  No browsing is allowed with this type of appointment. 

Grab-n-Go appointments are scheduled each hour at ten after the hour– 1:10, 2:10, 3:10, etc.  A thirty-minute window of time is allowed for picking up Grab-n-Go materials.  We understand that emergencies happen.  If you miss your window, you have until 4:00 pm on the next business day to reschedule a Grab-n-Go pickup time before items will be checked back in.

Placing holds for Grab-n-Go

To place requests you can call (715) 839-5029 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; and Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.  Please do not leave messages for hold requests, but wait to speak to a staff member during the above hours.  You can also reserve items online through your library account. 

Whether you place an order over the phone or online, you will receive an automated “hold ready” notice via email or phone message.  Important: the process is not done!  When you receive this message, call the library within 7 days at (715) 839-5029 to schedule a pickup time.  Otherwise, on-hold items will return to the general collection.  Please make sure that the telephone number associated with your library account is up to date.

2. Browsing  

Browsing appointments are for patrons who would like to spend time choosing materials to check out.  When calling to set up a browsing appointment, patrons will inform staff how many people will visit.  The number of visitors may influence schedule times, as the overall number of visitors contributes to the allowed quota.  Each appointment lasts a maximum of 50 minutes.  Please respect arrival and departure times so that we stay within guidelines for safe occupancy, start other appointments on time, and are able to sanitize high-contact areas between visits.

Please check in with staff upon arrival.  Patrons may arrive any time within their allotment, but please leave at least ten minutes at the end of the appointment to check out materials.  Patrons need to leave the building by ten minutes before the next hour.

3. Technical Services  

Technical Services appointments are for anyone who would like to use computers, the photocopier, or fax machine.  Each appointment lasts a maximum of 50 minutes.  Anyone who does not use the full allotment for technical services may use the remainder of their time for browsing.  Please respect arrival and departure times so that we stay within guidelines for safe occupancy, start other appointments on time, and are able to sanitize high-contact areas between visits.  As a reminder, free Wi-Fi is available in the first row of parking spaces in the library parking lot.

Why does the library look so different?

Social distancing is required of everyone, including staff.  Plexiglass guards are installed at the Circulation Desk.  Hand sanitizer is available upon entering and throughout the library.  Wearing a mask is required; please bring one with you to your visit.  We have disposable masks available for free upon request.  All staff will be wearing masks and/or face shields and, depending on the service provided, disposable gloves.  

Our hold shelf has been moved behind the Circulation Desk, so please ask a library worker for assistance in retrieving items.  All toys and games, in-person programming, and most public seating areas and tables, including the newspaper lounge, are not available at this time.  We cannot accommodate group meetings or gatherings.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently been exposed, please do not enter the library.

What about returns?

If you only have materials to return, no appointment is necessary.  Our outside return drop box remains closed, but special lidded bins are available to accept returns in the lobby during Library By Appointment hours.

Patrons will be charged for any damaged or lost returns left outside the book drop or any location other than in the return receptacles.  Returns must be placed by patrons into receptacles (not handed to staff).  Returned items are quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours before being checked in and re-circulated.  Courier items are quarantined for a minimum of 48 hours before being checked in and re-circulated.

When will we generally open?

In-library appointments are part of a phased reopening plan.  Precautions were implemented with safety of the public and our staff in mind and are subject to change based on guidance from the City of Altoona, Eau Claire City-County Health Department, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.  We hope to be able to open our doors to the general public as soon as practically and responsibly possible.  We will share updates as soon as they are available.