The library will be closing at 3pm, today, February 2, 2021 due to the inclement weather forecast.
Weather permitting, we plan to reopen on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at our regular time of 2pm.
Stay safe! Stay warm!
Closing at 3pm, 2/2/21
Questionnaire Results FAQ
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our Library Service Questionnaire. Your thoughts, opinions, and views are greatly appreciated. Your input will help plan library services and influence goal development as we plan for the future. We found that there were several reoccurring themes among the responses we received. Below you will find a list of some of the most common of these and their answers.
If you have questions regarding the questionnaire or other library matters, please contact the library director at 585-657-6264 or via email at bloomfieldlibrarydirector@owwl.org.
How do I find what I’m looking for at the library? Where are the DVDs?
If you cannot find what you are looking for in our library please ask a staff member – we are here to help! During our recent interior renovation, a few areas of our collection, including Large Print and DVDs, were moved to new locations. Large Print materials are now near adult Non-Fiction, directly across from the entrance. Children’s and Family DVDs, rated G and PG, are located on the backside of the Children’s Non-Fiction shelf unit, at the end of Adult Fiction. All other DVDs are located where adult Fiction formerly began. New signage has been put up to identify the collection locations, and maps of the library layout can be found in convenient locations around the building.
To find items in our library or in the OWWL system, search our catalog by keyword, author, title, or subject. The catalog computer station in the library is located by the pillar leading into the Teen Area. From home you can access the catalog from our website or by going directly to Owwl.org A library card number and four-digit pin is needed to place items on hold or to see what you currently have checked out. If this system is unfamiliar to you, a staff member would be happy to walk you through it!
Why are eBook and digital audiobooks so limited?
OWWL2Go, our eBook and digital audiobook platform, is curated by the Pioneer Library System. The eBooks and audiobooks on OWWL2Go are purchased by and shared among the 42 libraries in the system. Without this cooperation, the Bloomfield Public Library would not be able to offer the quantity or variety of digital materials that we currently provide.
Unfortunately, for libraries eBooks and digital audiobooks tend to be more costly than their physical counterparts. Add this to publishers’ restrictive licensing terms, and it becomes very difficult to keep up with the increasing demand for content. In response to local demand, Bloomfield Public Library has increased our funding commitment toward digital content over the past several years. Plus during shutdown in 2020, the library reallocated funds from physical material purchasing to support additional digital content purchasing.
Do you offer contact-less pick up?
Yes! We offer contact-less pick up in our lobby. Go online or contact the library to place items you would like on hold. Once you receive notice that the items are ready, contact the library to schedule your pick up. When you come to collect your materials: pull up to the library’s main door, step into the lobby, collect your wrapped items from the table, and return to your vehicle. It’s as simple as that! If you are unable to come into the lobby, please contact the library, so that we may make alternate accommodations.
Do you have children’s story times?
Yes! Virtual story time videos are posted to our Facebook page on Thursday mornings. Past story time videos are also available to view at your leisure. You do not need a Facebook login to view our videos! Just go to our Facebook Videos‘ page. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 related restrictions, we are not holding in-person story time right now. We look forward to a time when we can safely welcome little ones and their families back to the library for story time again!
What about kits or virtual classes for teens and adults?
We are working to increase our virtual and take-home options for teens and adults. Various library material bundles are currently available for pick up (walk-in or lobby pick up). To see what’s going on at the Bloomfield Public Library, check out our online Event Calendar.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 related restrictions, our ability to offer in-person groups and meetings is severely limited. We look forward to a time when we can all be together safely again.
However, we would welcome your help putting together our future programming schedule. Are you a crafter or hobbyist? Do you have a talent or knowledge in a specific field? Would you be interested in teaching others or willing to share with your friends, neighbors, and community? Please contact the library director regarding the potential for adding your passion to our programming schedule.
Help the Library – Complete a quick Questionnaire!
The Bloomfield Public Library is looking for your input to aid in planning future library services.
Please help us by completing a brief questionnaire with your thoughts, opinions, and views regarding the services the library has provided since reopening after the COVID-19 shutdown. Your responses will be used to help influence goal development as the library plans for the future. Responses will be anonymous and no identifying information will be published or used beyond the scope of this planning process. This questionnaire will take only 5-10 minutes of your time.
At the end of the questionnaire, you may choose to provide your email address to be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card to Dunkin Donuts!
We ask that you submit your response no later than Monday, January 4, 2021. Thank you in advance for your time and support!
Complete the Questionnaire Here!
The library is open!
We would like to welcome you back to the library! Starting Tuesday, September 8, 2020 the library will be open to the public, with some restrictions. Appointments are no longer necessary to browse our shelves, use the public access computers, or use the copy/fax machine.
We do require that you adhere to the following during your library visit, to help keep our patrons and staff healthy and safe:
- Wear a mask or face covering
- Use the hand sanitizer in the lobby, before entering the library
- Limit your visit to no more than 30 minutes
- Maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from other patrons and staff
- Be aware that the library capacity is limited to 18 individuals
- Return all library materials to the outdoor book drop
Lobby Pickup is still available!
Due to the popularity of this service, we are happy to continue offering the contact-less pickup of items placed on hold online at owwl.org or over the phone with our staff.
Something looks different…
When you come to the library, you may notice a few changes. While the library building was closed earlier this year, we were able to conduct a previously planned renovation project. The project was funded by a NY State Construction Aid Grant and funds set aside in 2018. The work was completed without any additional time closed to the public. With these renovations, some of our sections, such as Large Print and DVDs, have found new homes within the library. If you need assistance finding anything, please do not hesitate to ask!
Call the library at 585-657-6264, visit our website at bloomfieldpubliclibrary.org, and follow us on Facebook. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we all adjust to this new way of doing things.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Margo Prak, Library Director
Reopening Information
Hello Bloomfield Community!
The return of library services has begun! We are very excited to begin the process of returning library services. With the health and safety of our patrons, employees, and the community as our top priority, we are putting in place specific precautions and measures based on guidance by the CDC and New York State’s reopening regulations, as referenced in “NY Forward. We are also returning the library collection to our shelves, as items were temporarily unavailable during our recent renovation project (more details can be found here).
Book drop open June 15, 2020!
- All returned items will be quarantined for at least 72 hours. Items will remain on your account for a few days after you return them, but fines will not accrue during this period.
- Due dates on items checked out prior to the library building closure have been extended to September 30, 2020. However, we encourage you to bring back completed items so we can prepare them for the next user.
- Library items not owned by the Bloomfield Public Library may be returned in our book drop. However, libraries are currently limited to offering only their own collection to patrons. Returning items to their owning libraries, if it is convenient, will allow other patrons to enjoy them sooner.
Lobby Service (contact-less pickup) begins July 6, 2020!
- We cannot wait to start lending our materials again, but we want to make sure we are doing it safely and responsibly.
- Here’s how it works:
- Go to our online catalog at owwl.org and place items you would like on hold. If you need assistance, please call us at 585-657-6264.
- Make sure the items are owned by AND the pickup location is set to Bloomfield Public Library. Delivery between libraries has not yet restarted, so we are unable to fill holds on materials owned by other libraries.
- There is a limit of 7 items per library card that can be placed on hold at a time.
- You will be contacted with pickup instructions.
- The adjusted hours of operation are as follows:
- Monday & Wednesday: 2pm – 8pm
- Tuesday & Thursday: 10am – 4pm
- Friday: 2pm – 6pm
- Saturday: 10am – 2pm
After the successful implementation of these reopening services and with guidance from state and local health authorities, we anticipate being able to continue restoring library services. All dates are subject to change. Please stay tuned for details.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we adjust to a new way of doing things! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Margo Prak
Library Director
Renovation UPDATE!
The last weeks at the library have been very busy and much of our renovation work has been completed.
The old circulation desk and shelving along the wall, where CD audiobooks had been located, were removed. A new ADA accessible circulation desk and public computer access counter were installed. The old carpeting throughout the library was removed, and new carpeting tile was laid down in the library and vinyl flooring in the Community Room.
With these changes, the relocation of some shelving was needed, as was a temporary removal of some of the library collection from the center shelving so that they could be moved. We are currently in the process of restoring accessibility to the collection. Additionally, we are developing the necessary health and safety procedures and practices to allow us to begin offering limited services to the public in early July.
Check back soon for images of the work done!
