Due to poor air quality, all scheduled Aloha Community Library services including curbside holds pickup, summer reading prize distribution, and take and makes will be suspended through at least Friday, September 18. We will continue to watch conditions and post updates as we are able to safely resume services.

Do you have items on hold that are ready for you? Don’t worry – we’re monitoring the situation and will extend holds as appropriate in order to give you enough time to pick them up. Plus, after September 14 when we can safely resume curbside services, all holds pick ups will be appointment free!  Just drop by the library at your convenience during curbside hours, Monday through Wednesday, 3-6 pm, and Thursday through Saturday, 10 am – 1 pm.

The beaded gecko crafternoon will still take place Thursday, September 17 live on Zoom at 4:00 pm. Lear more here!

Take and makes and summer reading prize pickup will be extended until the library is able to safely reopen. The Wonderland Tea Party will be rescheduled to Saturday, September 19 at 2 pm to (hopefully) allow more time for patrons to receive their tea party kits. Kits and summer reading prizes for kids and teens are available while supplies last.

Our donation drive (originally scheduled for September 12) will take place Saturday, September 19 from 1:30-4:30pm instead. Click here to find more information about this opportunity to donate any unneeded books and movies you’ve been holding onto to a good cause!

Please contact the library at info@alohalibrary.org or (503) 259-0185 with any questions. Thank you for your understanding. Stay safe, Aloha!

Hello readers! Though we have not been able to see you at the library this summer, we know you have been reading hard since school ended. Now it’s time to celebrate! Starting Monday, August 10 we will be offering FREE “Grab and Go” summer reading prize bags with a surprise book and other goodies for kids and teens! Prize pickup will take place at the library during the first two hours of curbside services in front of the Community Room (just around the corner from the main library entrance) Monday through Friday, and in front of the main entrance on Saturday. 

Prize Pickup Hours: 

• Monday-Wednesday, 3-5 pm, Outside Community Room 
• Thursday-Friday, 10am-12pm, Outside Community Room
• Saturday, 10am-12pm, Outside Front of Library*
  *Please approach the table in front of the library entrance for Saturday pickups and let staff know that you are there for summer reading prizes, along with the ages of your children. Staff will place bags on the table. You are free to take them once staff steps back inside.

Note that all prizes will be concealed in a bag and organized by age range. Please only handle bags you intend to take, and do not return them once they have been picked up. Items in Grab and Go bags have been preselected and quarantined for your safety. Unfortunately we are not able to offer any other choices. While waiting to receive  prizes, we ask that families remain safely distanced by at least 6 feet from others. The queue will be marked.  Approach the table one family at a time. Because physical distancing is difficult in our limited space, we appreciate your help to keep everyone healthy by wearing masks. 

FAQ

• Do I need to register for a pickup appointment? 
  No, feel free to drop by during the times listed above. Quantities are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. 
• Do my children need to be present to collect a prize?
  No, you are welcome to take bags for any children who are not present at the time of pickup.
• Can I take more than one bag? 
  Please limit to one bag per child. 
• Do I need to bring something to prove my child has completed summer reading? 
  No, all are welcome to participate in the giveaway. We hope you will continue to join us for online programming, weekly challenges, and more!
• Do I need to wear a mask?
  We appreciate masks in case physical distancing is not possible on the sidewalk. Staff will also be wearing masks and gloves.
• Where is the Community Room? 
  The Community Room is just around the corner from the main library entrance next to US World Class Taekwondo. Signs will be posted on the library windows to direct you if you are not sure how to find it.
• Will there be books in other languages?
  Yes, we do have a limited quantity of books in Spanish. 
• What are the age ranges on the bags? 
  Bags are organized by ages 0-2 (board books), 3-5 (picture books), 6-8 (picture books, early readers, and beginning chapter books), 9-11 (chapter books and graphic novels), 12-14, and 15-18. Due to limited quantities, please only select the range that matches your child’s age.
• How long will these giveaways be available? 
  Giveaways will take place from August 10 through September 12, or as long as supplies last. Please check our website and Facebook page for updates before traveling to the library.
• What if I am not able to make it to the library during any of the times listed?
  We cannot guarantee accommodations, but we will do our best. Please contact the library at 503-259-0185, or email info@alohalibrary.org to see about alternative arrangements.
• Who should I ask if I have other questions about Summer Reading? 
  Please contact the library at 503-259-0185, or email info@alohalibrary.org with any questions.
• What are Curbside Services? 
  The library offers curbside holds pickup by appointment Monday-Wednesday, 3-6pm, and Thursday-Saturday, 10am-1pm. Learn more here. 

While our building is closed to the public we are offering curbside holds pickup. This service is available by appointment only Monday – Wednesday, 3pm-6pm, and Thursday – Saturday, 10am-1pm.

Placing Holds

• Place holds online by visiting wccls.org and selecting Aloha Community Library as your pickup location.
• For assistance with placing holds, contact library staff at 503-259-0185 to leave a message, or email info@alohalibrary.org.

Picking Up Your Holds

• You will receive a notification by your preferred contact method when holds are ready for pickup. Contact the library or visit https://bit.ly/3hIyqDz to schedule your appointment.
• Even for items listed as available on our shelves, it may take at least 72 hours for your order to be ready. Please only schedule a pickup appointment when you have been notified your holds are ready.
• Please arrive during your 30-minute pickup window.
• Staff will bring your checked out items to the table outside the library’s front doors. Please wait safely distanced away from the table (signs in the window will guide you).
• Once staff has stepped back into the library, grab your order and enjoy!

Returning Your Materials

• Our book drops are now open 24/7! You are welcome to continue holding onto the books and movies currently checked out through August 31st, or you can return them to our drops on the front of the building. Remember to give others on the sidewalk at least 6 feet of space while you wait your turn.
• Following local health recommendations, returned items will be quarantined for 96 hours and will remain on your account for up to 5-6 days. No fines will accrue during this period.

Drum roll, please!

Watch this space for updates on our plan to begin limited curbside services in the coming weeks. Things to keep in mind:

• Our priorities fall in this order:
  • keep patrons and library staff safe and healthy
  • get books into patrons’ hands

• Our timing is partially dependent on multiple factors, some that we cannot control.
  • Washington County’s successful transition to Phase One of the State of Oregon’s Reopening Guidelines.
  • Availability of the equipment and supplies needed to keep staff and patrons safe and healthy.
  • Healthy staff who can provide consistent services.
  • The virus itself. We will continue to monitor public health guidelines throughout the pandemic and adjust our levels of service as necessary.

• Services will be limited and look different. We thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility as we learn how to do all of this!

Details are still coming together. We are excited to share more information soon! Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates.

Summer Reading has arrived at the Aloha Community Library! Reading and activity guides are available to download now for kids and teens, while adults can sign up online via WCCLS Reads.

Things will look a little different this year with all of our summer programming heading online from June through August. Please check our calendar for upcoming events, including family-friendly performances, storytimes, live interactive programs, and more! Sign up for our newsletter to receive weekly updates on what is happening with the library.

Summer reading is changing in 2020! Instead of the usual coupons and performers, WCCLS and its member libraries are partnering with local Summer Food Service Program meal sites to make sure that children get what they need most this summer. Find a summer meal site.

Visit our children and teen summer reading pages to learn more about the activities and programming available online this summer from the Aloha Community Library. We miss you, Aloha!