Update: More Grab & Go Locations Open as of September 8, 2020

As part of New York City’s reopening, The New York Public Library is continuing the careful, phased process of returning limited service to its physical locations after temporarily closing due to the outbreak of COVID-19. As of Tuesday, September 8, we’ve expanded our grab-and-go service to 50 library locations. At each of these locations, patrons can access a limited area for returns and pick up materials that they’ve reserved. Patrons can now place holds on physical materials for pickup and these locations via our online catalog, or via phone.

For more information about how to use NYPL's Grab & Go service, please see our step-by-step instructions.

Grab & Go Locations

To learn more about the current grab-and-go locations, visit our page about the Library’s limited reopening.

Research Update

Please note that at this time, the Library’s research centers, including the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, will remain temporarily closed. However, in September, the Library will offer expanded scan-and-deliver service for general research collections.

Research services will continue to serve patrons virtually via at-home access to research databases, virtual reference, staff monitoring research requests, etc. More information here.

Policies & Procedures

This limited reopening is the first step in a careful, phased approach to reinstituting service at our physical libraries. To ensure the health and safety of the public and our staff, policies and procedures created in collaboration with safety experts must be followed.

In this first phase, visitors:

Will be able to access a small area of the open branches to pick up holds placed online or on the phone. The process will be contactless—items will already be checked out to the patrons’ accounts.

Can return materials in designated bins.

Must leave the library as soon as their pickups or returns are complete. At this stage, there will be no browsing or computer use.

Must wear a mask.

Must maintain six feet of distance from staff and other patrons. This means that only a limited number of people will be allowed in the library at a time, and so patrons may have to wait in line outside until it is their turn to enter.

In addition, the Library is taking precautionary cleaning measures, as well as making a few accommodations for patron accounts, during this period of service:

Each open library will undergo enhanced cleaning protocols, and will have equipment such as sneeze guards installed, and all returned materials will be quarantined for 96 hours (4 days), as per the latest expert recommendations.

Fines on all items (those checked out before closure and those checked out during this first phase of limited service) will not accrue until at least January 1, 2021.

New Yorkers with digital library cards (which are normally only able to check out digital materials) will be able to use them to check out physical materials.

The Library will temporarily remove any fine-based blocks on patron accounts.

As we evaluate developing circumstances, additional branches will be added, and when safe, we will open more branches for increased on-site use (computer use and browsing, for example). We will also be prepared to walk back to a previous stage if that becomes necessary.

Get NYPL Updates

Sign up for NYPL Connect to get updates from NYPL and information about our digital resources and services available during our temporary closure.

For more information on this first phase of our reopening, please see our Frequently Asked Questions , which will be continuously updated.

, which will be continuously updated. For more information about how to use NYPL's Grab & Go service, please see our step-by-step instructions.

For any additional questions, please contact Ask NYPL (whose phone service will be reinstituted on July 13).

Multilingual Coronavirus Updates

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Previous Updates

Read previous updates from NYPL President Tony Marx:

Library Resources You Can Access From Home

The Library has plenty of online tools for everyone. Discover the our wide range of digital resources — including e-books, e-audiobooks, databases, our Digital Collections, and more. Whether you're at the Library, at school, or at home, you can access a wide range of resources with your library card. Need to manage your account after hours or remotely? You can renew books and more. Don't forget to sign up for email updates for the latest news from the Library. (En español)

During these challenging times, the Library is here to help our communities to find the resources they need. NYPL has collected a selection of links to help our patrons find important information and help. Explore these categories to find tips for economic resources, health and wellness services, housing information, and more.

The Library has loads of resources available for all ages. You can find complete, trustworthy information quickly using the Library’s online tools. Visit this vital digital tool for young learners and their parents and caretakers while NYPL is temporarily closed.

The Library has a wide array of resources to support New York’s educators, whether they’re teaching online, looking for materials to support their curriculum, or connecting students with engaging learning aids.

Need remote access to the Library's research collections and services? Get help from the research librarians and curators at AskNYPL, explore thousands of scholarly e-books, use our electronic document delivery services, and more.

Up-to-Date Health Alerts & Information

Check New York City's official source of emergency alerts for recent updates. Text "COVID" to 692692 to get the latest updates about coronavirus from Notify NYC.

Learn about COVID-19 symptoms and prevention, and see the current case count in New York City.

Review FAQs, press releases, and other information related to 2019 novel (new) coronavirus.

Look to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for some of the most comprehensive information available regarding the coronavirus outbreak.

New Yorkers have contacted the Library's reference desk seeking answers about 2019 novel (new) coronavirus. Here's a list of websites with updated information on the virus and prevention.

Learn about COVID-19 resources via telephone for New Yorkers.