LCPL is monitoring the development of COVID-19 in Indiana and adjusting services accordingly. We have been in communication with the Lake County Health Department and are monitoring daily updates from the Indiana Department of Health and the CDC. We are working to offer you as much library service as possible while maintaining your safety and the safety of our staff.
UPDATE 1/15/21:
Lake County Health Department seeking volunteers
UPDATE 1/13/21:
What's the deal with this vaccine?
UPDATE 1/8/21:
Hours and services are subject to change based on staff availability. You can always see the most current hours here.
UPDATE 11/9/20:
CDC released guidelines on visiting libraries safely!
See previous updates:
UPDATE: 10/19/20:
Walk-in hours are available!
UPDATE 10/7/20:
Walk-in hours will be posted soon. Watch this page for updates.
UPDATE 9/16/20:
UPDATE 7/30/20:
Letter to School Boards: How LCPL can Support Schools
UPDATE 7/20/20:
Grab & Go appointments are now available at all locations!
Learn more
UPDATE 7/13/20:
Computer appointments are now available at all locations!
Learn more
UPDATE 7/6/20:
Grab & Go appointments now available at more branches
Learn more
UPDATE 6/29/20:
Computer appointments now available at more branches.
Grab & Go appointments now available at Merrillville Branch.
Learn more
UPDATE 6/24/20:
Remote printing now available! Send a print and pick up at curbside.
UPDATE 6/19/20:
Computer appointments at Merrillville Branch begin June 29
UPDATE 6/16/20:
Updated Reinstatement of Services Plan (Appointment-based browsing will now be available in an earlier phase!)
Added How Do I Pay a Fine?
UPDATE 6/15/20:
Computer use appointments coming soon!
UPDATE 6/2/20:
Book drops are now open for all item returns!
UPDATE 6/1/20:
Our plan for the reinstatement of library services
UPDATE 5/26/20:
Special item return exception for people who have checked out the max number of items (No longer relevant as book drops are now open for all items)
UPDATE 5/23/20:
Curbside pickup will officially begin 5/27/20
UPDATE 5/15/20:
When are my items due? (minor updates 5/20/20)
What about Imagination Library?
UPDATE 5/8/20:
Outdoor WiFi Now Available (minor updates 5/22/20)
UPDATE 5/7/20:
How is the library ensuring a safe environment?
UPDATE 5/4/20:
When is the library re-opening? (minor updates to item returns 5/15/20, 5/20/20)
Are library materials safe to borrow? (minor updates 5/13/20)
Is Summer Reading happening this year?
UPDATE 4/4/20: Update to the CDC's guidelines on face masks
UPDATE 3/31/20:
How to use the library while we are closed (minor updates 4/2/2020, 4/20/2020, 5/8/20)
Should the building closures continue, due dates will be adjusted accordingly. No items will be due while our buildings are closed.
UPDATE 3/17/20: Please do not return your items or attempt to circumvent the locks on the book drops. All due dates have been changed; nothing is due while we are closed! (Update 3/31/20: Due dates were originally set to April 15; however, these will be updated accordingly as building closures continue.)
UPDATE 3/16/20: The library will close at 5 PM on 3/16/20 and remain closed until further notice.
Here are a few things to know about COVID-19 and Lake County Public Library:
There is a great deal of misinformation out there on COVID-19. All information in this FAQ has been vetted to library standards.
For further accurate, unbiased information we recommend:
The Indiana Department of Health COVID-19 Information Page (includes a sign-up for email updates)
The CDC's How to Protect Yourself Page (includes information on how the virus spreads)
Yes! The Lake County Health Department is looking for volunteers to help at vaccination sites.
Anyone with a high school diploma can volunteer to help register Hoosiers for the vaccine.
They are also looking for nurses, medical assistants, EMTs, and other qualified medical personnel (active or retired) to help with vaccination.
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available in Indiana!
The best place to get up-to-date vaccine information and answers is ourshot.in.gov. You can also call 211* any time from 7 AM to 7 PM, 7 days a week.
The vaccine is currently available to:
More groups will be added as Indiana receives more vaccine. You can make your appointment here or by calling 211. Getting vaccinated is free!
The most important thing to know is that the vaccine has undergone extensive testing and is safe for general use.
However, if you have a history of allergic reactions to injections read the CDC's guidance on vaccines and allergic reactions or talk with your doctor before making a vaccination appointment. People who are pregnant should also consult their doctor before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Have more questions? Find all the answers by calling 211* or by visiting ourshot.in.gov.
* If 211 doesn't work on your phone, dial 1-866-211-9966.
Great news - we're already open! We're currently offering many services such as curbside pickup, outdoor wifi, digital materials, and much more.
Here is our official plan for the gradual reinstatement of each vital library service:
In Progress: Walk-in Hours
Facial coverings are required.
Branches may roll out services at different rates. Each branch is very different and will require different updates and unique safety accomodations.
Please note that we are taking every safety precaution. That means:
The branches will even look different, with computer stations and furniture altered to promote safe distances, among other things.
We sincerely appreciate your patience as we navigate the stages of reopening safely. Thank you for reading our plan, and for your support!
You can check your item due dates any time by logging into your account and looking at the Items Out section.
The book drops are now open for the return of all items! You do not have to wait until your due date to return items.
However, due to the number of materials currently checked out, we may experience some full book drops. If you attempt to return an item and the book drop is full, please keep your item and try again tomorrow. Don't leave your items on the ground near the book drops!
Fines over $5 can be paid online by credit card. Just log into your account to get started.
If you prefer not to use a credit card (or if your fine is under $5) you can pay in person using cash at branches open for walk-ins or mail us a check.
Checks should be sent to Merrillville Branch (1919 W. 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410). Make the check out to Lake County Public Library and include your library card number in the comment section, or enclose a note saying which library card or cards it's for.
Note that having a fine under $5 on your account will not prevent you from using library services!
Yes!
When library items are returned, they will enter quarantine for 72 hours before they can be checked out 
again.
72 hours is the maximum time COVID-19 can survive on a plastic surface (and that is under lab conditions designed to be ideal for the virus; in practice it is likely much shorter). The virus can only survive on paper for 24 hours, but we are exercising an abundance of caution given the many varieties of materials we loan out.
This means that after you return an item, it will be three business days before it is actually checked in. Don't worry about your item becoming overdue in those three days; overdue fines are currently paused.
Quarantining materials is more effective than disinfecting them using chemical, heat, or light treatments. There is no cleaning process that can disinfect every single page of a book, or that can kill viruses on a DVD without causing damage. Quarantine can.
Any item you check out has been quarantined for 72 hours or longer and is safe to handle. Please do not attempt to heat, bleach, spray, or otherwise sanitize your library materials.
Good news - the library is open!
But if you prefer not to come in, there are many other ways to use the library. You just need a resident library card number and PIN. If you don't already have a library card, you can get one here.
Forgot your PIN? Here are step-by-step instructions on what to do to recover it in case we're closed when you need it.
Don't forget - high school students have their eLibrary cards (aka Digital Access Cards). Most high schools in our district handed these out at the beginning of the school year so that high schoolers who go to school in our district can use our online collection even if they live in a different library district.
Digital Collection:
If you're an LCPL resident, your library card still gets you access to all of our online collections, like Overdrive/Libby, Hoopla, and Freegal. You can see all of our digital offerings here.
Databases and Online Learning:
Our online research tools are available - they're great for students still learning at home. You'll also find plenty of resources there for anyone wanting to learn new skills, crafts, languages, and more.
Free WiFi:
Free WiFi is available in the following branch parking lots seven days a week from 9 AM - 9 PM:
Please remain in your vehicle while using our outdoor WiFi.
Ask a Question:
Library staff are monitoring our Ask a Librarian service, so feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions!
You can also call the library for assistance - if we're closed, just leave a message.
Activities for All Ages:
We are thrilled to offer virtual storytime on five times a week at 10:30 AM, with a bonus Book Break on Sundays at 3 PM. Go to our YouTube page to join in!
Kids Activity Page: designed specially by our librarians to keep kids active and learning while staying home.
Teen & Adult Activity Page: things to learn and do while at home, created by our librarians just for you.
Remote Printing:
Send us what you need printed and pick it up during curbside hours!
Prints are black and white only and cost 5 cents/page. See more details and submit your file here.
Curbside Pickup:
Place a hold on an item and go to the library for contact-free curbside pickup. 
Here's how it works.
As far as we know, there should be no disruptions to book delivery for children already signed up, approved, and processed in Imagination Library.
New applicants may experience a delay in approval to join the program. You can print an application and snail mail it back to the library, or scan it and email it to imagine@lcplin.org.
Summer reading ran from July 6 to August 1 in 2020. Rather than track pages and turn in logs, we had an entirely online sign-up with only one requirement: Have fun reading.
We posted a bunch of fun Imagine Your Story themed activities for kids to enjoy in place of coming into the library for events. The activities are still posted here if you'd like to enjoy them a little longer! We also had a blast virtually traveling to different locations around the country to learn about different animals and habitats.
We don't know what summer reading will look like in 2021, but we're looking forward to reading with you again!
As we expand building access and library services, we want to reassure you that we are doing everything possible to make sure everyone using the library stays safe.
Per executive order 20-26, you can read our safeguards document here. This document is subject to change as new situations arise.
You can help! Read the CDC's guidelines on visiting libraries safely.
Here are the CDC's recommendations:
We spoke with the Lake County Health Department, and they reiterated that the most effective way of stopping the spread of COVID-19 (and the flu for that matter) is to wash your hands thoroughly, with soap, for at least 20 seconds.
Here is further information from the CDC's How to Protect Yourself page.
The CDC has updated their face mask guidelines in light of new evidence regarding asymptomatic carriers (those who show no symptoms, but may still be infected.)
The CDC advises wearing cloth face coverings to prevent asymptomatic individuals from unknowingly spreading the virus. They do not recommend medical grade face masks or respirators.
When you arrive for at the library, you will be required to wear a face covering before you can enter the building. Face coverings must cover your nose and mouth. Homemade face coverings, such as scarves or bandanas, are acceptable.
If you are unable to wear a mask or other face covering, please let us know before coming in to the library. We're happy to work with you to find a solution that allows you to access our services.
Please read the CDC's cloth face coverings FAQ
COVID-19 symptoms include:
You can see the CDC's full list of COVID-19 symptoms here.
From Indiana's COVID-19 FAQ:
If you develop symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19, stay home and call your healthcare provider.
Your doctor will determine if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and whether you
should be tested. You can also visit one of the Indiana Department of Health/Optum sites for
free COVID-19 testing. Click here for a map and other additional information for testing
locations across the state.
