CLINTON — The Vespasian Warner Public Library District, in Clinton, announced this week curbside pickup is now available for its patrons. 

While the library building remains closed to the public until May 31, the community is encouraged to order and pick up library items using the new curbside pickup service.

All orders must be placed in advance at www.vwarner.org/curbside-order or by calling the library at 217-935-5174. Books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, magazines, and videogames can be ordered through curbside pickup. 

Requests for specific items can be made, but they may not be available during this time. The library staff is happy to select items based on general preferences. Book bundles for kids are also available and feature five or six books and activity sheet matching a requested subject. Library staff requests that families place orders together with a limit of 10 items per person.

Once an order is placed, a library staff member will call to schedule a pickup window. Every effort will be made to fulfill orders within 72 hours. Curbside pickup is available on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-noon and 5 —7 p.m. and Saturdays from noon-3 p.m..

Pickups can be made by pulling up near the front door of the library during the scheduled pickup time. Patrons will be asked to call the library upon arrival or before leaving home and should not exit their vehicle at any time. 

Library staff will bring the items out to the vehicle and place them in the trunk or through the back passenger window. Walkers and bikers can also use pickup and should contact the library for details.

Returns can be made in the parking lot book drop during the curbside hours above and on Tuesdays from noon-7 p.m. Patrons should return all previous items before picking up new items. 

For those not using curbside pickup, due dates will continue to be extended until the library is open to the public again. All returned items will be quarantined for three days before being checked in.

Note that patrons must have an active Vespasian Warner Public Library card in good standing to participate in curbside pickup. Temporary library cards are available to residents who live in the district by applying at www.vwarner.org/temporary-card. 

Other digital and remote resources also will be available during this time including the digital library, 24/7 Wi-Fi, virtual storytimes, seed library by mail, curbside notary, and digital archive access.