ESCANABA — The Escanaba Public Library announces drive-up service for returns and holds pick-up..

Library patrons may place their own holds via the library’s online catalog at www.escanabalibrary.org, or call the library at 789-7323 for staff assistance. Library staff will be available to assist callers in selecting materials from the collection. Patrons can request specific titles or ask staff to choose items for them. Families with young children who would like a selection of picture books to read may call the library to request a “family pack” of up to fifteen books, selected by library staff.

Patrons will receive a phone call, text or email when their items are ready for pick-up. Drive-up service will be available between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6: p.m. Monday through Friday. Hold service is available for items owned by the Escanaba Public Library at this time. Inter-library loan, or the ability to request materials from other libraries, will resume at a later date. A valid library card is required to use the service. Materials checked out prior to the closure may be returned through the drive-up book drop, located next to the drive-up window or the drop located near the library entrance.

The drive-up window was part of the library’s original construction, but has not been utilized in many years. The Friends of the Escanaba Public Library recently donated the funds to replace and upgrade the window. The window is located on the north side of the building and can be accessed through a driveway off 1st Avenue North.

“We are very grateful to the Friends for making this enhancement possible and are pleased to be able to offer this new service for the safety and convenience of community members,” said Library Director Carolyn Stacey. “We know that people have missed the library and expect to see many patrons take advantage of the chance to pick up books and movies again.”

Drive-up service is the first phase in the library’s re-opening plan. “We hope to open our doors with the appropriate measures in place to ensure everyone’s health and safety the week of June 15,” said Stacey.

Questions about the service can be emailed to the library at epl@escanabalibrary.org, or by calling the library at 789-7323..