Elizabeth Castañeda, (408) 808-2175
elizabeth.castaneda@sjlibrary.org
Nancy Macías, (408) 712-2150
nancy.macias@sjlibrary.org
Monday, June 15, 2020
SJ Library Members Request Over 10K Items with New, Contactless Service
San José Public Library launches SJPL Express Pickup at select locations across San José
San José, Calif., June 15, 2020 - The San José Public Library (SJPL) launched its new service, SJPL Express Pickup, today.
SJPL Express Pickup is a contactless service that allows library members to place requests and borrow physical items from the library’s catalog – something they had not been able to do since SJPL’s last day of operations on March 16, due to the current pandemic.
In preparation of the new service, SJPL opened its catalog portal to allow library members to begin placing holds on items last Monday, June 8. In just one week, over 10,000 library items were requested, and the Express Pickup webpage registered over 12,000 pageviews.
“Our priority has always been to provide our customers with access to their libraries, and the information, resources, and services that libraries offer. Though required to keep our physical buildings closed, we introduced SJPL Express Pickup service, and the response from the residents has been overwhelming. Our digital collection has always remained available, but our communities still want their books, and we are thrilled to be able to offer them again,” said Library Director, Jill Bourne.
To celebrate the launch of this new service, news media was invited to stop by the Edenvale Branch Library where staff were working diligently to fulfill orders as library members began to arrive to pick up their orders. This specific location had nearly 1,100 requests. If you couldn’t attend, see the photos and b-roll.
To ensure the well-being of library staff and customers, SJPL Express Pickup is an outdoor service that requires the practice of social distancing. In addition, all library materials are being quarantined for three days before being released to the public.
SJPL Express Pickup will be available Monday-Saturday from 1-6 p.m. at several SJPL locations. For more information, visit: sjpl.org/ExpressPickup
Also today, select SJPL locations, including the Edenvale Branch Library, kicked-off its annual Free Summer Food Program by handing out grab and go meals and activities to children and teens (ages 2- 18). See Summer Food photos and b-roll. The Summer Food Program runs from Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. until August 7th. For details, visit: sjpl.org/SummerFood
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