City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL), which remains closed to the public, will launch a virtual version of its popular summer reading program, which will kick off live on LBPL’s Facebook page at noon on Saturday, June 13. LBPL also will begin offering contactless pick-up service on June 23 through its new program, LBPL To-Go.
“Our libraries are a fundamental part of our community,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “It is more vital than ever for our City to offer access to its library collection, as well as entertaining and skill-building opportunities for our families to experience together.”
Summer reading program: “Dig Deeper: Read, Investigate, Discover!” will take place from June 13 through July 25 via LBPL’s website. The six-week summer reading program is available to children, teens and adults. Participants can register online using the library’s digital summer reading platform, a web and mobile-friendly application that allows users to log their reading and activities, unlock achievements and discover new books.
“Library staff are making use of every tool available to them to offer services to our residents during this time,” said Glenda Williams, Director of Library Services. “Our new online platform for the summer reading program is free, easy to use and allows families to read and learn together.”
The library’s summer reading program is made possible with support from the Long Beach Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library. Their support enables LBPL to offer books and reading incentives to program participants, and allows the library to host special performances by professional family entertainers and educators.
LBPL To-Go: Starting June 23, LBPL will begin offering books and DVDs to library cardholders in good standing. Library patrons can reserve items online or by calling participating LBPL To-Go libraries during regular business hours, Tuesday through Saturday.
Contactless pick-up will be available at the following LBPL To-Go locations:
To offer library patrons as much flexibility as possible during these unprecedented times, LBPL will extend checkout periods to 30 days for items checked out through LBPL To-Go until further notice.
As a reminder, holds placed at the City’s various libraries before COVID-19 were diverted to Billie Jean King Main Library. Patrons can log into their account or call any of the four LBPL To-Go locations beginning June 23 to designate an alternate LBPL To-Go pick-up location.
Book drops at all 12 libraries will be open beginning June 23. A 72-hour quarantine period has been implemented for all returned items. This will result in delays in items being checked in and coming off of patron records; however, fines will not be incurred during this period. Patrons who borrowed books before the COVID-19 library closures have until the end of June to return items.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the LBPL has continued to serve Long Beach residents online by providing e-books and audiobooks, job development resources, homework assistance, virtual story times and makerspace instruction videos.
For more information about LBPL To-Go and the summer reading program, residents can visit the Library’s website at lbpl.org or call the Library’s information line at 562-570-7500, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep its residents safe, visit: longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.