Deborah Prescott | Daily Press Escanaba Public Library Adult Services Librarian Monique Ciofu operates the drawer at the library’s drive-up window from behind the glass Wednesday afternoon.

ESCANABA — Libraries are opening at their own speeds after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced they could open June 8, in Executive Order 2020-110. Manistique School and Public Library is open to the public with temporary hours, while Escanaba Public Library and Gladstone School and Public Library are both reopening with curbside service.

Escanaba started drive-up service June 8, accepting returns and handing out requested material. The service is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

“Monday we moved to step two of our re-opening plan that allows patrons to request and receive materials … Our staff is excited to be back and be of service,” said Escanaba Public Library’s Executive Director Carolyn Stacey. “The drive-up service is going very well.”

The drive-thru window has always been part of the building, but wasn’t functional until Friends of the Library donated funds to replace and upgrade it. The drive-thru window is located on the north side of the building and can be accessed from 1st Avenue North. Patrons of the library may hold items from the library’s online catalog, or call for staff assistance. Staff will contact the customer when the items requested are ready to be picked up.

Hold service is only available for materials owned by Escanaba, items from other libraries will continue at a later date.

“Other libraries are not loaning, or sharing materials yet, I expect they will in the relatively near future,” Stacey said.

Items checked out before the library closed can be returned in one of two drop boxes, next to the drive-up window or in the library entrance. Staff sanitize materials before they are replaced on the shelf.

Escanaba has a four-step reopening plan with steps three and four, limited and full access, planned later in June. Stacey said they will evaluate planned August and September events, but canceled June and July events.

“Our library, like others, is taking a phased-in approach. We get a high volume of people and a number of COVID-19 high risk patrons, that is why we’re reopening slowly,” said Stacey. “One thing we’ve learned through all this … circumstances change rapidly, which makes it very challenging to make concrete plans.”

Escanaba’s tentative plan to move to step three is Monday, June 22.

“We are still working out what that will look like … Library services will look a bit different,” said Stacey.

During the ‘stay home, stay safe’ order the library staff enhanced the virtual collections and services.

“We increased our e-book and digital audiobooks purchasing, launched a streaming service with movies, musical concerts, TV series and education, … and offered some live stream programs and virtual storytimes via Facebook,” said Stacey.

According to Stacey, the experience has resulted in a positive. They got a chance to re-look at things and create positive changes for patrons.

“We will continue to do our best within our current constraints to offer opportunities for enrichment and we look forward to the day when we can resume full access. We thank everyone for their patience and continued patronage,” said Stacey.

The library is located at 400 Ludington St., Escanaba. For additional information contact the Escanaba Public Library at 789-7323, or email, epl@escanabalibrary.org. Go to there website for a full catalog of materials to hold online, www.escanabalibrary.org.

Gladstone School and Public Library started curbside pickup Monday, June 8. There are three ways to reserve items, call 428-4224, ext. 2, email libraryhelp@gladstone.k12.mi.us, or the online catalog. No more than five items may be taken out at a time. Returns are accepted in the drop box located next to the library door.

The library is open curbside Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and for those who are at high risk, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m.

The library Summer Reading Program started June 8. Ages two through 18 can register online or by calling 428-4224.

The library is located at 400 S. 10th St., Gladstone.

The Manistique School and Public Library opened June 9 at 11:30 a.m. and according to Library Aide Kim Saffer, within an hour patrons used every option available to get their books — entered the library, picked up items through the library’s curbside service, or received book delivery.

Saffer said they are testing the temporary hours out before opening to the full summer schedule. This week the library is open June 9 through June 11, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Next week we will be open Monday through Thursday,” said Saffer. “The first half hour we are saving for our older or at-risk patrons.”

Staff at the library requests patrons use the hand sanitizing station available at the front door of the library before entering, and wear masks if medically possible. A mask will be provided to those who do not have one.

“Children can check out books from the children area, but the area is closed off for play at this time …,” said Saffer. “We do have half our computer stations open for patrons who need a computer to work on.”

MSPL is located at 100 N. Cedar St., Manistique. For more information call 341-4316.

“We’re happy to see our patrons, and we’ve been looking forward to opening up, just as patrons have been looking forward to coming back,” said Saffer.