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Posted on 16 April 2020

Indiana Humanities awards the Crown Point Community Library the Advancing Racial Equity Collection Development Grant

10.6.2020

The Crown Point Community Library is pleased to announce the award of $995 from the Advancing Racial Equity Collection Development Grant from Indiana Humanities with funds from Lily Endowment Inc. The generous grant allowed us to purchase additional materials, in multiple formats, related to issues of race, diversity, and inclusion to add to our collection.

We appreciate the support from Indiana Humanities as we continue to inform, enrich, and empower our community through diverse collections.

This program has been made possible through a grant from the INDIANA HUMANITIES with funds from LILLY ENDOWMENT INC.

Change of Library Hours & Services

10.5.20

As Indiana moves into Stage 5, the Library will shift from “Grab and Go” to a “Stay, Sit & Study” service model and will now permit patrons the ability to sit down and use our space.  Only limited seating has been reintroduced to the Library spaces with all seating maintaining social distancing between seating areas and from staff areas.

Seating in the Library:

• All tables have chairs returned
• Seating returns to select areas (only vinyl upholstered easy chairs have been returned to aid disinfecting)
• Due to the need to maintain social distancing, tables and chairs may not be moved
• Groups gathering and sitting on the floor is not permitted

Reintroduced:

• Quiet Room is for silent study only
• Study Rooms are for INDIVIDUAL USE ONLY
• No limit on the amount of time spent in the library
• Computer time restored to normal length
• One-on-One assistance or service will require the patron to wear a mask properly over the nose and mouth

The following rooms remain closed:

• Internet Cafe
• Meeting Rooms
• Children’s Program Room
• Game Room
• Indiana Room (open by appointment/arrangement only)

 Still suspended:

• In-Library, in-person library programming for all ages
• Public use of meeting rooms

REMAINS IN EFFECT:

• Masks are still required to use the library regardless of the duration of the visit
• Social distancing
• At this time NO FOOD is allowed in the Library, but drinks are permitted
• Tables and chairs will be treated as high touch surfaces and will be cleaned daily
• Curbside services
• Virtual programming and take & make activity bags

Beginning Saturday, October 17 the Crown Point location will extend its hours of operation:

Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday: 12 – 5 p.m.

Sunday: Closed.

Like and follow our Facebook page for up-to-date Library service information and virtual programming announcements!

Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month with Wonder Woman!

9.11.20

Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when libraries nationwide join together to remind parents, caregivers, and students that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning.

This year, DC’s Wonder Woman is embarking on a mission to champion the power of a library card as Library Card Sign-up Month Honorary Chair. In her new role, Wonder Woman will promote the value of libraries and encourage everyone to get their very own library card.

For a limited time, we have a special edition Wonder Woman library card, anyone can apply for this card,
find out how you can get one here.

Grab N’ Go Service Model

8-24-2020

School is back in session and the Crown Point Community Library is here to support the educators, parents, and students. The Library empathizes with the challenges each school system is currently facing with the ramifications of COVID-19.  The Library also faces similar challenges with keeping our staff and patrons safe. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Library has developed new and innovative ways to provide service to community members. The Library has had to alter and adjust to new ways of providing service but is committed to supporting our students, parents, and educators in any way possible.

Currently, the Library is using a “Grab and Go” service model that ensures that we are able to maintain building capacity and physical distancing requirements. With that focus in mind, the Library has made several changes which may impact your students and their families:

• The Grab and Go service model allows individuals to enter the building to check out materials and use the library’s public computers for up to an hour, but longer visits are not permitted at this time. 
• In our current COVID service model, space usage is currently unavailable for tutoring, individual or group studying, reading, or relaxing. 
• Library programming and meeting room use are suspended.
• The Library is not able to function as an after school destination nor a remote learning location due to restrictions on time spent in the building and our limited use model. 
• The Library’s seating areas are not available for congregating. 
• Outdoor WIFI is available 24/7 in our library parking lots and does not require a password.
• Curbside service is available to pick up library materials during library open hours.

Thank you for your patience and understanding! 

• Download the Library’s Digital Resource Support for E learning
• Need classroom materials delivered or scheduled for curbside pick up? Call 306-8071 or email
• Need virtual training of our online resources? Call 306-8071 or email
• Apply for a digital library card here

Updated July 21, 2020

Welcome back to your library!

Starting Tuesday, July 21, 2020, in accordance with Governor Holcomb’s #MaskUpHoosiers initiative and the Lake County Health Department Public Health Order 20-01, the Crown Point Community Library will be requiring the use of masks for all library visitors over the age of 2.  Combined with frequent handwashing and social distancing, wearing a face mask is one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Thank you for joining the Crown Point Community Library in keeping our community healthy and allowing the library to continue to serve the needs of our community.  For more information regarding this change read our FAQ: Mask Requirement CPCL

To prepare for your visit to the Library:

• Please remember to bring your mask starting July 21. Masks will not be provided by the library.
• Everyone 2 years of age and older must wear a mask to enter the library locations.
• If you are unable to wear a mask the library has created accommodations for service including:
  • Curbside pick of library materials
  • Phone reference or virtual reference
  • Assisting with materials selection and placing holds on requested materials
  • Lobby computer station for computer use, scanning, printing, and copying
  • 24/7 public wifi available outside library locations

On Monday, June 15, we reopened our buildings to the public with limited capacity. While we’re eager to open our doors to the public, we believe it is important to do our part to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19, and are moving forward with an emphasis on safety and innovation to provide a safe environment for our visitors and staff. We have altered the methods of some of our services for initial reopening:

• Limited service hours
• Library access will be limited to a  “Grab ‘n Go” service, allowing visitors to select materials for immediate checkout
• Computers are limited to one-hour sessions; the curbside computing mobile units are available in the lobby for quick service
• All in-library programming and meeting room reservations remain suspended at this time
• Curbside services will continue through the summer
• Our book drops are open so you can return materials
• Library materials returned will quarantine for 72 hours before checking in and re-shelving, items will remain on patrons record during quarantine, however, no fines will accumulate
• All materials, checked out prior to our March 16 closure are due June 15, fees and fines will be waived through July 1; however, normal charges will begin after that date
• We are not accepting donations at this time

Click on the unicorn to read our summer newsletter for more information about Library services and virtual programming!

Updated June 8, 2020

WE ARE REOPENING SOON!

Read a letter from the director here.

Updated June 1, 2020

Crown Point Community Library receives $10,000 funding relief provided to Indiana humanities organizations through CARES Grants

The Library is pleased to announce the award of $10,000 from the Indiana Humanities with funds from the CARES Act.  This CARES grant funding will provide operating support to help with funding relief due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are grateful to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which provided funding to Indiana Humanities as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan appropriated by the U.S. Congress.

Updated May 26, 2020

NEW SERVICE: NO-CONTACT CURBSIDE COMPUTING!

The Library is excited to introduce a new curbside service: “Curbside Computing” mobile carts that are equipped with internet access, computer, printer equipped with scanning and copying capabilities. There are two mobile carts at Crown Point and one at Winfield. The carts will be available Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., weather permitting.

The carts on a first-come, first-served basis and there is no cost to use any of the features. Please be courteous of your time while others are waiting. Please practice social distancing. Library staff will frequently sanitize the cart surfaces. Handwashing is the best defense against COVID-19 so a portable hand washing sink will be available when the carts are in use.

Our Curbside Computing mobile carts are made possible by Lake County COVID-19 Response Fund grant supported by the collaborative work of the Legacy Foundation, Crown Point Community Foundation, Foundations of East Chicago, and The John S. & James L. Knight Foundation Donor Advised Fund at Legacy Foundation.

LIBRARY CLOSURE UPDATES:

The Crown Point Community Library building remains closed to the public at this time. Library leadership is carefully considering and planning the necessary precautions to determine when we can reopen to the community. We will communicate further information, regarding our reopening, as soon as possible. Read more information about our reopening safety measures here: https://crownpointlibrary.org/2020/03/10/coronavirus-what-you-should-know/ and please continue to follow us on social media and online for up-to-date information.

NEW SERVICE: NO CONTACT CURBSIDE PICK-UP!

Beginning Wednesday, May 20 CPCL will offer no-contact curbside pickup for library materials. The service will be available:

• Crown Point location: Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Winfield location: Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

To request library materials for curbside pickup:

Place a hold via the library’s online catalog or call the Library location by phone. When your items are available for pick-up, you will receive a notification, by text or email, or if you have opted out of notifications, the Library will call you when your items are available for pick up. (Watch a video on how to place a hold online  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfi2qjBdbqQ)

• Only after you have received a notification, from the Library, should you arrive for curbside pick-up.
• Pull into a designated curbside pick-up spot, call the Library and notify the staff member of your parking spot number. Remain inside your vehicle.
• Library staff will bring your bagged items out to you and place them on the curbside pick-up sign.
• Library staff are following strict sanitation, hand-washing procedures, and wear masks/face shields while delivering your materials.

Library materials can only be returned to our book drops.

• All items are quarantined for three days before they are checked in, so you may still see items listed on your account after you return them.
• Any fines accrued during the quarantine period are waived when they are checked in.
• Please note that in severe weather, curbside pick-up service may be suspended temporarily. Curbside pick-up is a new procedure, please be patient as we work through the logistics of this new library service.

**We ask our patrons to help us in our efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 when using our curbside service. Please do not use this service if you are showing symptoms, have had a fever in the last 24 hours, or otherwise think you may have or need to be tested for COVID-19.**

Please visit our digital library page for quick access to our online resources.

NEW SERVICE: OUTDOOR WiFi ACCESS

The Library is offering free WiFi access in the parking lot at both locations.

• At Crown Point, the WiFi access is in the municipal parking lot located between the CP Library and City Hall. Connect to “CPCL Outdoor.” No password required.
• At Winfield, connect to “CPCL Outdoor 2.” No password required.

NEW SERVICE: VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING

Subscribe to our channel and watch our virtual storytime, STEAM activities, and more!