‘Customers are so happy’: How Horry County libraries are helping to stem COVID-19 boredom
Horry County Memorial Library started a new service on Friday that allows people to pick up a new book or DVD curbside without having to leave their car.
“We have gotten so many calls for this,” said Cindy Thornley, director of libraries.
Residents can use their e-library-card to put a hold on materials at one of the Myrtle Beach area’s 10 branches, Thornley said. They can then call and schedule a time to pick up their materials. Appointments are made every five minutes. The customer then pulls into a marked space at the library at their appointment time and staff will come out and deliver the materials right to the person’s vehicle.
The service looks similar to the curbside pickup at restaurants or grocery stores that have become the rage to maintain social distancing during the coronavirus crisis.
The move is sure to help people find things to do or a new book to delve into at home while they try to follow the state’s “work or home” order because of COVID-19.
Thornley said library staff has continued to work while many government buildings are closed during the outbreak. The staff has cleaned more than 300,000 books, DVDs and other items during the closure.
While the libraries are offering the curbside pickup, customers are still not allowed inside the branches. The library also isn’t accepting returns of materials at this time.
Pickup appointments can be scheduled Monday through Friday and Thornley said it will continue for the foreseeable future. The program is open to county residents with a library card. If someone doesn’t have a card, they can call a branch and the employees will help them sign up for an e-card, Thornley said.
The e-card also gives people access to web-based e-books and websites such as ancestry.com and tutoring services.
“Our customers are so happy,” Thornley said.
This story was originally published April 26, 2020 at 10:53 AM.
