HOW IT WORKS

• We are offering contactless outdoor holds pick-up at the North Amherst Library three days a week. Our pick-up hours are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Beginning February 6, our Saturday hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  
• When the library receives the items you've requested, you will receive either an automated email notice from CW MARS (just like in pre-pandemic times) or a phone call from North Amherst Library staff if you don't have an email address. The staff will check out and package your items and they will be available for pick-up the next time the Holds Pick-up service is open.
• When you arrive at the North Amherst Library to pick up your items, please wait until you are first in line to approach the Holds Pick-up table. Ring the door bell (located on the corner of the book drop) and a staff member will come to assist you. We will take your name and put your materials outside on the Holds Pick-up table. Please note that we are not charging fines, and eligible items will be automatically renewed.
• Your items will be available for pick-up for 7 days after we notify you.
• Please wear a mask and observe social distancing when you pick up your library materials. Signs and sidewalk markings will guide you through the process. The library will provide hand sanitizer at the pick-up table.

HONOR CART

• We know you miss browsing so we've put together a cart of books for you to select from whenever our holds pick-up service is available, weather permitting.
• Choose the books you want and fill out the slip of paper in each book. Put the slips in the book drop and take the books home with you. Pencils are provided.
• We maintain a small selection of both adult and children titles on our cart.

REQUESTING ITEMS (aka: PLACING HOLDS)

• You can request books and other items (aka: place holds) online via the CW MARS catalog using your library card number and your password / PIN. Please choose "Amherst North Amherst Library" as your pick-up library when placing the hold.
• Our Reference team is ready to assist you or to place holds for you. We're answering live phone calls at 413-259-3096 according to this schedule. Please leave us a voicemail at all other times. Please specify that you would like to pick up your items at the North Amherst Library.
• Not sure what to read? Browse some suggested books here: selected recent fiction, selected recent nonfiction, and antiracism books.

RETURNING ITEMS

• You can return your library materials to the North Amherst Library only during the times that we are open for holds pick-up (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Please place your items in our book drop.
• All materials will be quarantined for 7 days. All items will remain on your library account until they are checked in after the 7-day quarantine period.
• NOTE: No overdue fines will accumulate.
• NOTE: We are not accepting any donated items at this time.