FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (September 17, 2020) -- OC Public Libraries is excited to announce the next stage in reopening and providing modified service in accordance with the State of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, with Orange County now in the red tier, libraries can reopen with modifications and capacity limited to 50%.
 

“The County of Orange is pleased to take this next step and expand core library services vital to the community,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District Supervisor.

Beginning September 22, OC Public Libraries will offer Grab & Go services, allowing patrons to use self-service checkout of requested and limited popular items. Library buildings will be open with metered access for Grab & Go self-service checkout of patron requests and limited popular items, along with physically distanced single patron internet stations available by reservation for one-hour sessions. Contactless curbside pickup service will continue. 
 

“OC Public Libraries’ new Grab & Go service is a great way for residents, especially those in underserved communities, to safely return to county libraries and access essential services that they may not otherwise have at home, such as Wi-Fi,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor.

Hours for in-building services will be Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  New hours for curbside pickup service will be Tuesday-Thursday, 12 to 6 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Laguna Woods and Laguna Hills Technology Libraries will continue with curbside pickup service only from Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 

“The expansion of OC Public Libraries hours allows for community members to access services at their own convenience, such as after school and work or even on weekends,” said Supervisor Donald Wagner, Third District.

Additionally, virtual programs and assistance will continue to be available via email, online chat, and in-person.  Designated public areas will be clearly marked for patrons to safely browse, and the remaining library space has been modified in compliance with State guidelines. Patrons are advised to plan ahead as seating and restrooms will not be available at this time.
 

“OC Public Libraries’ virtual programs and events are a great way for the community to remain connected to the library programs they miss,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District.

Exterior book drops remain open, and all returned library items are quarantined for 96 hours, non-stacked where possible.  

“Ensuring our residents feel comfortable using our services is of high importance to the County,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “Our libraries will continue to offer contactless options to keep those utilizing our services confident of the County’s dedication to the health and safety of all residents.”

OC Public Libraries will evaluate the addition of possible services when modifications are determined by the State of California and Orange County guidance.

For more information about OC Public Libraries and service updates, visit ocpl.org  

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Beginning September 22, OC Public Libraries will offer Grab & Go services!

Metered occupancy access for Grab & Go service:

• Designated self-service checkout of holds and popular items
• Physically distanced single-user computers by reservation for 30 minute  sessions
• For safety purposes, staff and visitors must wear face masks and maintain safe physical distancing
• Contactless curbside pickup service will continue.  

Grab & Go Service Hours:

Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Join us for our Microsoft Program Series!

Wednesday, September 30, 4-6 PM: Design & Code Apps

Learn to design and code apps, ages 13+

 In this free two-hour virtual workshop, students thirteen and older will learn about apps and how to create them. They will brainstorm their own app idea and learn to code an app with Code.org’s App Lab.

NOTE: For this workshop, you’ll need a free account with Code.org. Set up your account HERE.

Register HERE to reserve your spot today!

For the best experience, please use Edge or Chrome Internet browsers to join the workshop. For any questions, please email Beatriz Preciado at Beatriz.preciado@occr.ocgov.com

Rylee is a power house when it comes to customer service. She is always coming up with ways to serve the public at our branch, from starting a workout club, offering one-on-one computer help, leading storytimes, and creating crafts for kids. She is always a friendly face when people enter our branch and she is quick to strike up a conversation or funny anecdote with any patron who comes in.

Rylee volunteers for all projects we have at the branch, even if they are not something that she is familiar with, she is always willing to learn. While telecommuting, she has been making videos for the craft committee, and recording yoga videos for the #fitnessfriday series on OCPL social media. She is always trying to provide excellent content to our online presence throughout the closure.

Rylee is great when it comes to thinking of new programs or crafts at our branch. She has started several past and present programs, Body Sculpt, Yoga Storytime, Workout Club, and Hike2Breakfast.

Rylee is just a really great person. During this closure she is telecommuting, parenting her 2 girls, homeschooling and finishing her last semester of library school before she earns her MLIS.

OC Public Libraries launched the Community Cookbook Project to connect with our community.  We are constantly seeking new ways to interact with the community; to share memories, stories, and recipes with one another. 

Explore the cookbook HERE.

Not done with your library books? No problem!

There are no overdue fines at OC Public Libraries until further notice! Regular loan periods are in place, but overdues will not be charged.

For the safety of staff and library users, all materials will be checked in after 96 hours of being returned.

Orange County to Read and Celebrate Lab Girl in the Spring of 2021

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (June 25, 2020) — OC Public Libraries has been one of two Orange County organizations chosen to receive a grant of $15,000 to host the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Lab Girl by Hope Jahren was selected to be the focal read for Orange County, and activities will take place in Spring of 2021.

“The County is grateful to be chosen again for the NEA Big Read grant and looks forward to OC Public Libraries providing quality programs with this year’s award,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District Supervisor.

The NEA Big Read offers a range of titles reflecting many different voices and perspectives, with an aim to inspire conversation and discovery. OC Public Libraries selected Lab Girl for its focus on the sciences.[1]  Program offerings will include Science Technology Engineering Arts Math (S.T.E.A.M.) activities, guest speakers, and other engaging offerings that keep library users connected with Lab Girl.

“Libraries are a vital resource to our communities. This award aligns with the county’s goal of extending and promoting equal access to every community, including in the arts,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor.

In partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read is an Arts Endowment initiative aiming to broaden the public’s understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The purpose of the NEA Big Read grant is to help institutions connect readers to their communities by selecting a book and exploring its theme, topics, and common threads.

“We are grateful for the award, which will further supports connecting our community,” said Supervisor Donald Wagner, Third District.

Since 2006, the National Endowment for the Arts has funded more than 1,600 NEA Big Read programs, providing more than $22 million to organizations nationwide. More than 5.7 million Americans have attended an NEA Big Read event, approximately 91,000 volunteers have participated at the local level, and 39,000 community organizations have partnered to make NEA Big Read activities possible.

“Through this grant, the County can further OC Public Libraries’ mission of building lifelong learners while inviting curiosity, discovery, and exploration,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District.

 “The County looks forward to bringing a community reading program that supports arts learning and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District.

For more information on Orange County’s NEA Big Read program or for updates on OC Public Libraries, visit ocpl.org.

For more information about the NEA Big Read, including book and author information, podcasts, and videos, visit arts.gov/neabigread.

Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more.

Arts Midwest promotes creativity, nurtures cultural leadership, and engages people in meaningful arts experiences, bringing vitality to Midwest communities and enriching people’s lives. Based in Minneapolis, Arts Midwest connects the arts to audiences throughout the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. One of six non-profit regional arts organizations in the United States, Arts Midwest’s history spans more than 35 years. For more information, please visit artsmidwest.org.

Contact: David Lopez

Public Information Officer / OC Public Libraries

David.Lopez@occr.ocgov.com

 [1]

SANTA ANA, Calif. (June 16, 2020) 

OC Public Libraries Launches Contactless Curb-side Pick-Up

Beginning today, library patrons can now pick up their holds thanks to OC Public Libraries new contactless Curbside Pick-up service. This announcement follows the reopening of book drops on June 9 as OC Public Libraries continues to follow State and County guidelines.

This service is available today at all County library branches with the exception of Costa Mesa Donald Dungan library, which will launch contactless Curbside Pick-Up on June 20.

Contactless Curbside Pick-Up will be available Tuesday through Friday from 12-6 p.m. and Sat-urday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours for contactless Curbside Pick-up vary at the Laguna Hills Technology library and Laguna Woods library. Please contact those locations directly for curb-side service availability.

Library users who wish to pick-up new library books through contactless Curbside Pick-Up can do so in six easy steps:

1. Place items on hold online at catalog.ocpl.org.

2. After receiving notice via email or phone that the item is ready, drive to the library.

3. Call the number on the sign upon arrival.

4. Wait for staff to place items on the outside table and return inside.

5. Once staff returns inside, retrieve the items.

6. Enjoy your reading, and return items to the book drops when done!

OC Public Libraries continues to provide a wide variety of virtual programs, including Virtual Sto-rytimes, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) crafting projects, food literacy demonstrations, teen gaming, fun activities, and more. These can all be accessed at ocpl.org/virtualprograms.

Additionally, the library has curated a dynamic list of resources that can be used for at-home learning for all ages available at ocpl.org/elib/elearning. Book donations are not being accepted at any library location until further notice.

For more information about OC Public Libraries and updates on service expansion, visit ocpl. org.

Contact:

David Lopez

Public Information Officer | OC Public Libraries

David.Lopez@occr.ocgov.com

SANTA ANA, Calif. (June 9, 2020) – OC Public Libraries is pleased to announce that library book drops will reopen beginning today. This is the first step in reopening for OC Public Libraries as it continues to follow State and County guidelines. The book drops were previously closed to protect the health and wellness of staff and patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Library users who currently have library books checked out will be able to return their materials to the OC Public Libraries branch of their choice with the exception of Costa Mesa Donald Dungan library. Book drops at Costa Mesa Donald Dungan library will reopen on June 20, 2020. All overdue fines will be waived, and current material due dates have been extended to July 1, 2020. Contactless curbside pick-up services will be the next step. OC Public Libraries continues to provide a wide variety of virtual programs, including Virtual Storytimes, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) crafting projects, food literacy demonstrations, teen gaming, fun activities, and more. These can all be accessed at ocpl.org/ virtualprograms. Additionally, the library has curated a dynamic list of resources that can be used for at-home learning for all ages available at ocpl.org/elib/elearning. Book donations are not being accepted at any library location until further notice. For more information about OC Public Libraries and updates on service expansion, visit ocpl.org. 

Contact:

David Lopez

Public Information Officer | OC Public Libraries

David.Lopez@occr.ocgov.com

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