PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) will reopen four locations with limited capacity, starting Tuesday, May 18. Billie Jean King (BJK) Main Library, Bay Shore, Mark Twain and Michelle Obama Neighborhood Libraries will re-open to the public for visits up to 30 minutes long. Book stacks will be open for browsing, and public computers and printing services will be available.  

“The limited reopening of these libraries is another positive signal that our city is turning a corner on the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Our residents have been wanting to once again visit our wonderful libraries and we are happy that we can now start to slowly and safely open the doors.”

These four libraries will be open during the following hours:

BJK Main Library

• Tuesdays, noon to 8 p.m.
• Wednesdays, noon to 6 p.m.
• Thursdays, noon to 7 p.m.
• Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bay Shore, Mark Twain and Michelle Obama Neighborhood Libraries

• Tuesdays, noon to 7 p.m.
• Wednesdays, noon to 6 p.m.
• Thursdays, noon to 7 p.m.
• Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Capacity at the four library locations will be limited and metered for the health and safety of both residents and library staff. Brief visits will allow these libraries to serve more patrons each day. All visitors will be required to wear face masks and perform a health self-assessment before entering library facilities. These four locations will also continue to offer LBPL To-Go services for those who just wish to stop by to pick up holds. LBPL To-Go will also continue at Bret Harte, El Dorado and Los Altos Neighborhood Libraries. Other LBPL locations will not reopen at this time due to a number of Library staff continuing to be reassigned to support COVID-19 emergency operations. The above locations were selected to reopen due to adequate staffing levels at the locations.

“Library staff are excited to begin welcoming residents back into our buildings in the safest ways possible, adhering to all State, County and City orders,” said Glenda Williams, Director of Library Services. “We’re confident that the new limited reopenings, which features book browsing, checkouts, materials returns and computer use, will provide patrons with the most frequently requested library services. As always, our online digital library is available to cardholders 24/7.”

Seating areas, study and community rooms and in-person live events and classes are not yet available. Long Beach Public Library will phase in more services over time, when deemed prudent and safe for all.More information about other library services is available on the Library website at www.lbpl.org or by calling 562.570.7500.

All Library locations were previously closed to the public since March 14, 2020, due to public health restrictions and safety precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that Long Beach has seen a drastic and continual decline in cases and hospitalizations related to COVID-19, and as more people become inoculated, the Library is able to accomplish a safe, limited reopening for patrons.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services and more. The City also has a highly-respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, five golf courses, 171 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Long Beach Public Library
Long Beach Public Library, founded in 1896, serves a diverse urban city of close to half a million people. The Long Beach Public Library system includes Billie Jean King (BJK) Main Library and eleven neighborhood libraries and a vibrant online presence. In summer of 2017, the Long Beach Public Library was awarded the National Medal for Library and Museum Services in recognition of successful community-collaborations, innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and literacy-focused programs to the residents of Long Beach. With an emphasis on providing free and equal access to information and support for learning for a lifetime, the Library offers books, media, databases, Internet access, Family Learning Centers, makerspaces, and a variety of events ranging from story times to educational and cultural programs.

For more information, visit www.longbeach.gov/library, “Like” the Long Beach Public Library on Facebook, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram.