Update on Library Closures and Service Changes related to COVID-19

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(The following is a message from the Library Director of Redwood City)

Dear Library Community,

The staff of the Library greatly appreciates your thoughtful comments about the importance of libraries during the current health emergency in San Mateo County. While in many ways we would love to be open for business to meet your needs, we will be joining all of the school districts and all of the public libraries in San Mateo County in closing our facilities to the public beginning Monday, March 16. Redwood City Public Library will remain closed through March 31 for the time being, and we will evaluate the best time to reopen based on additional information we learn between now and then.

I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you a brief update on what Library services will and will not be available over the upcoming weeks.

  • Redwood City Public Library locations will remain open for their normal business hours on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 
  • All four Redwood City Public Library locations will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31 
  • The book drops at all four libraries and the outside input for the automated library return system at Redwood Shores will remain open 24 hours a day for the return of library materials  
  • All of our 24/7 online resources on our website, including eBooks and eAudiobooks; streaming TV, movie, and music services; and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines will remain available at https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/library/downloadables
  • Library assistance will be available by telephone from 10 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday at 650-780-7018, extension 4. You can also reach us by email at
  • Due dates for library materials, including Wifi hotspots, will be extended automatically, so you do not need to worry about your materials being returned late at this time
  • Customers will not be able to place new holds through the online catalog during the closure, but all materials already on hold shelves will remain there until we are able to reopen
  • All Library meeting room reservations from March 16 – March 31 will be cancelled, and refunds will be issued for any paid reservations. No new meeting room reservations will be taken for dates between now and May 31, but you may continue to make reservations for dates from June 1 forward
  • All library programs, storytimes, and events through Sunday, April 12 are cancelled or postponed

We are working closely with our local educational community to identify ways the Library can assist students with their home education programs while the schools are closed.

We continue to encourage everyone in our community to continue safe health practices to avoid exposure, including handwashing, social distancing, avoiding handshakes, and other recommendations of the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control at
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

We wish you and your families good health, and we hope we have the opportunity to serve you at the Library once we can do so in a safe manner.

Take good care,
Derek Wolfgram
Library Director