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Ashland - Local Town Pages

Ashland Library News

Effective Monday, Feb. 8, the Ashland Public Library re-opened to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for limited browsing (30 minutes) and computer use (45 minutes). Everyone entering the library will be required to properly wear a mask and sanitize their hands upon entering. Masks are available if you need one. Staff will gladly pull items to be picked up curbside for anyone who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons. Curbside pickup will also be available, weather permitting, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If you plan to come into the Library, please note that the entrance (Concord Street side) will remain locked and you will be required to call the library at 508-881-0134 ext. 2 for the adult area and ext. 5 for the Children’s Room when you arrive in the parking lot. You will be:
• asked health related questions about Covid 19 symptoms and personal or household exposure within the past two weeks.
• asked for contact information for the Town of Ashland’s contact tracing needs.
• advised of time you will be allowed in the library (30 minutes for browsing/per day in the adult or children’s area, photocopying and 45 minutes for computer use/per day)
You may be asked to wait if the library has reached capacity. Please note that only one family will be allowed in the Children’s Room at a time.
While in the library:
• Masks/face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth the entire time you are in the library.
• Please use hand sanitizer that is throughout the building
• Practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet apart from others
• Please only touch what you need.  Any items you touch, but don't check out, should be placed in the quarantine bins located throughout the library.
• No food or drink will be permitted in the building.
• You will be able to check out your own materials with staff assisted checkout, or the Minuteman mobile app,  to minimize handling
• Staff is available to answer questions and help you find things, but no one-on-one computer help will be available.
Please continue to return your items outside in the available bookdrop.
Curbside pickup will continue, weather permitting.
Curbside pickup is still available.
Find the items that you want in the catalog (find.minlib.net) and place a hold listing Ashland as your pickup location. If you don’t have internet access at home, please call the library at 508-881-0134 for staff assistance to place a hold. Your reserved items will be held for one week. Inter-library loan and statewide delivery have resumed. This service is available to anyone with a valid Minuteman library card.
Pickup hours:
Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. -6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
You will be notified when your item(s) are available for pickup. When you arrive at the library, please call 508-881-0134 to let staff know you are here. Your items will be delivered to the table on the library patio (Main/Concord Street entrance) for you to take. If you need assistance, please let library staff know when you are contacted about pickup.
Returning Items:
Please use the library book returns located in the library parking lot and near the main entrance on Concord Street. Please note that only one bookdrop will be available for returns per day to allow for suggested quarantining. All items (including media) may be returned in the same bookdrop. If a bookdrop is locked, please do not attempt to force the slot open to return items. No items will be accepted in person by library staff. Based on CDC guidance given to the Institute for Museums and Library Services, any items that get returned will be quarantined. Overdue fines will not be charged while returned items are in quarantine.
Hoopla
hoopla is a groundbreaking digital media service offered by your local public library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV! With no waiting, titles can be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later. We have hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, with more being added daily. hoopla is like having your public library at your fingertips. Anytime. AnywhereSign up using your Ashland Public Library card and download up to 5 items per month.
Introducing Kanopy
Kanopy is an on-demand streaming video service providing access to more than 30,000 films and documentaries from a variety of independent filmmakers and distributors, including the BBC, PBS, A24, and the Criterion Collection. Ashland residents with Ashland Public Library cards will be able to watch 4 films per month. 
Set up your account at: ashlandmass.kanopy.com 
Then, download the Kanopy app on any of your devices to begin watching.
Minuteman Mobile App
The Minuteman mobile app puts the library in your pocket! Look for the Minuteman Library Network in the App Store and Google Play and download the app to your smartphone or tablet. Search the catalog, renew items, manage your holds and check out items using your camera's phone or use your digital library card to check out items at one of our staff assisted checkout stations.
Photocopiers
Color photocopying is available on the main level and black and white photocopying is available in the exhibit area on the lower level.
Computers
Several computers are available for public use. There will be a 45-minute limit on computer use until further notice. Printing in color, black and white and scanning are available.

Inter Library Loan
The library staff would be happy to help you obtain materials from other libraries that are not found in our collection. Delivery is slower than usual because of library closures so please be patient.