More Lee County libraries offering curbside pickup

More library patrons will be able to pick up on-hold materials as the Lee County Library System expands contactless, curbside pickup at four additional branch locations.

This service is for materials already being held. Additional hold requests are not being accepted at this time.

Beginning Monday, May 4, curbside pickup will be available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday for patrons with library materials being held at the following additional locations: 

·         Bonita Springs Public Library, 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs

·         East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres

·         Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St., Fort Myers

·         Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral

Curbside pickup will continue to be available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday for patrons with library materials being held at the following locations:

·         Cape Coral Lee County Library, 921 SW 39th Terrace, Cape Coral

·         Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers

·         North Fort Myers Library, 2001 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers

·         South County Regional Library, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero

To use contactless, curbside pickup, patrons with holds available for pick up at one of the eight locations can drive to the main entrance of the library, stay in their car, and call the telephone number provided on the signs at the location. The staff member who answers will ask the patron for their library card number, check out their materials and bring them out to the designated spot. The patron can then pick up their materials and depart with their items.

Library staff at these locations will be available only to bring out held materials.

The contactless curbside pickup, approved at an emergency Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, is part of the county’s phased-in approach for residents. The county has also resumed exterior book returns at all branches for patrons to drop off checked-out materials. No fines are being assessed for items overdue because of library closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due dates have been extended due to the closures. Library branches are unable to accept donations at this time.

Further announcements on library operations will be forthcoming. There is no set date at this time for when libraries will reopen.

Additional questions by library patrons can be directed to 239-479-4636, text 239-204-5321, chat at leelibrary.net or email askalibrarian@leegov.com.  The hours for these services are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

County leaders continue to monitor data and work with Lee Health and the Florida Department of Health related to the county’s phased-in approach to re-opening sites. The county continues to encourage the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendation for social distancing.

For additional Lee County updates, visit www.leegov.com/covid-19.