HOUGHTON — The Portage Lake District Library is moving into step three of their phased reopening, which includes limited access to the building by patrons. The service is available beginning Monday, June 29, and will include a return to the regular schedule of open hours at PLDL. The library will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We are very excited to let patrons back into our building for the first time since our closure in March,” said Library Director Dillon Geshel. “Step three allows us to begin offering grab-and-go services to our patrons, such as browsing our shelves for library materials, using a public computer, and printing, faxing or copying services.”

As mandated by the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-114, Library patrons will be required to wear a mask or face covering while in the library, if there is no medical reason for them to not wear a mask. This includes children aged 5 years and older per guidelines from the American Association of Pediatrics. Free masks will be available for patrons who wish to enter the building but do not have a mask.

Also by order of the Governor, patrons must physically distance themselves, at least six feet, from other patrons and staff while in the library.

“In order to ensure we can meet social distancing requirements, we will also be limiting our building occupancy to no more than 50 individuals at one time, including library staff,” said Geshel. “Patrons visiting the library will be limited to 30 minutes per visit, and public computer sessions will be limited to 30 minutes as well.”

Curbside pickup of library materials will still be available for library patrons who prefer no-contact services or the convenience of curbside services.

You can find additional information in the library’s Phase Three Plan & Policy, available on the library’s website here. The PLDL Board of Trustees adopted the policy on Wednesday, June 24.