North Hills libraries halting in-person visits, still offering services online

Three public libraries serving the North Hills are temporarily suspending in-person services in response to the county health department’s stay-at-home advisory to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

A third library plans to close for two weeks starting Dec. 24.

Allegheny County has been experiencing a sharp increase in the number of covid-19 cases, which is predicted to worsen.

Northland Public Library — the second largest in Allegheny County after the Carnegie Library system — closed the building along Cumberland Road in McCandless on Nov. 27, but patrons still can sign up to reserve materials for contact-free pickup.

Cardholders also will continue to have access to the more than 868,000 items in the library’s digital collection.

The library has been conducting most of its programming online because of the coronavirus pandemic, which will continue.

Patrons who rely on Northland for internet access can still connect from the building’s parking lot. Staff also will be responding to telephone calls and e-mails.

“The library may be temporarily suspending in-person services … but our amazing staff will still be working hard to meet the needs of our residents by providing them with continued access to library materials, both physical and electronic,” said Nicholas Yon, a spokesman for the library, which serves more than 84,000 residents in Ross, McCandless, Franklin Park, Marshall and Bradford Woods.

A date has not been set for when the building will reopen to the public.

Northern Tier Library

The Northern Tier Library has suspended in-person services, but patrons can order materials and pick them up in the lobby if they wear a proper face covering.

Items that are returned will be placed in quarantine for at least 72 hours before being checked back into the collection.

Cardholders also can continue to access the the library’s electronic collection and other online resources.

Patrons who rely on the library’s computers can still use them on a limited basis by reserving a one-hour time slot up to a week in advance.

The time slots are for 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Patrons can only book one session a day and no more than two sessions per week.

The internet also can be accessed from the building’s parking lot, but patrons must remain in their vehicles to avoid contact with other people.

The library is located at 1450 Dickey Road in Richland.

The library also is offering a mobile printing service that allows patrons to print from their home computers and pick up the material at the library. Customers must pay with the exact amount at pickup.

Programming at the library also has been adjusted during the pandemic by conducting activities online.

“We do have plenty of exciting virtual programs coming up in December,” said Jessica Federkeil, the library’s public relations officer.

Among them, she said, is a special event presented by the Allegheny County Library Association and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre called “Dance the Story: Fireside Nutcracker with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre,” which will be presented at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7.

The library, which serves Richland and Pine townships, also is conducting its annual Holiday Boutique auction featuring uniquely decorated trees as well as gifts and baskets.

The auction runs through Dec. 12.

Shaler North Hills Library

The Shaler North Hills Library also suspended in-house visits because of the region’s rising covid-19 numbers beginning Nov. 23.

Patrons can still return materials and drop off donations outside the library around the corner from the main entrance.

Cardholders also can continue to request materials for contact-free pickup through the online catalog, on Google Form or by calling 412-486-0211.

Instructions for reserving items as well as other changes the library has instituted are available online.

Library staff also is available to help customers print, copy or fax documents, which can be picked up and returned from your vehicle.

The library’s internet connection also can be accessed from the building’s parking lot and does not require a password to login.

Hampton Community Library

To help slow the spread of coronavirus, the Hampton Community Library will close to the public between Dec. 24 and reopen Jan. 11.

Starting on Jan. 4, patrons can reserve material online and pick them up at the curb between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Once items have been reserved, call the library at 412-684-1098 and leave a name, telephone number and time to pick up the materials.