Important Updates: Main Library Hours and the New Children’s Library

The Concord Free Public Library is taking temporary precautions due to the recent surge in cases of COVID-19 in the community. The new Children’s Library, Garden, and  Commons space – all constructed as part of the expansion project at the Main Library – will open as planned at 9:00 a.m.on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. A limited selection of Children’s and Teen books will be available for browsing and to check out. However, seating will not be available in the Children’s Library and the Activity Room will be closed temporarily.

Eating is not permitted in the Library at this time, including the new Commons space. In an effort to promote social distancing, meeting and study rooms are only available for single individuals on a walk-in basis and two hour limit at this time. Group reservations are not permitted at this time.

Additionally, the Main Library is reducing its hours temporarily, effective on January 5, 2022. The new hours will be Monday 10am-6pm, Tuesday through Friday 9am-6pm, and Saturday 9am-5pm. The Children’s Library at the Main Library will close 15 minutes before to aid staff in expanded closing duties. The hours for Special Collections (Monday 10am-6pm and Tuesday through Friday 9am-5pm) and Fowler (Monday through Thursday 10am – 6pm and Friday and Saturday 10am – 5pm) remain unchanged. Both library branches remain closed on Sunday.

All programs will be virtual until further notice. See the library event calendar (available at concordlibrary.org) for up-to-date information. The Concord Free Public Library staff kindly remind patrons that there is an indoor mask mandate in effect from the Town of Concord. Staff thank patrons and the extended community for their patience and understanding during this time.

New Children’s Library: Soft Opening Jan 5, 2022

The Concord Free Public Library (CFPL) is looking forward to opening the new Children’s Library and other spaces included in the expansion project. Regrettably, due to supply chain issues, the CFPL has delayed the soft opening of the new Children’s Library to January 5th, 2022. Other expanded and renovated spaces are projected to open later on in 2022.

Library staff are working hard to assure that the new Children’s Library safely serves patrons of all ages. The Main Library is still an active construction site as work continues in the Special Collections, Teen Lounge, Forum, Workshop, Large Print collection, and study room spaces. Patrons visiting the new Children’s Library can expect the following beginning January 5:

• Sections of the new Children’s Library will be open with reduced hours.
• The Children’s Library will have a limited portion of the collection available to browse in-person on temporary shelving.
• Children’s staff will offer in-person storytimes inside the Activity Room.
• The Workshop and other parts of the new addition will not yet be fully operational, but Children’s staff look forward to occasionally opening the Workshop for drop-in programs.
• All patron hold items will continue to be available for pickup at the Main Library Circulation desk.

Before the soft opening, from December 20-23, the Children’s Library staff will continue to offer morning storytimes, crafts, puppet shows, and more at the Hunt Recreation Center (located at 90 Stow Street in Main Concord). From December 27-30 while Hunt Recreation is closed, Children’s staff will provide free Take and Make Kits near the Circulation Desk. In addition, the Children’s Room and Teen Collection at the Fowler Branch Library remain fully open and available for patrons to browse the collection and participate in Children’s programs, including storytimes and crafts.

Visit concordlibrary.org for the most up-to-date information about opening and available services, spaces, and programs during the renovation. All CFPL staff look forward to sharing the expansion and renovation with the community soon.