Though the days of roaming through the bookcases at the local public library are still far off, Boston Public Library announced Monday it's beginning a pilot program called "BPL To Go," which will enable guests to pick up books in person.
BPL President David Leonard told Boston Public Radio he doesn't like to call the program a reopening, since branches have been offering digital services throughout the closures
"Some of us felt like we really never closed completely," he said. "Today is the day you can start putting a book on hold, and getting a notification that it's ready, and picking a time frame you'd want to come in ... this is our phase one."
Central Library in Copley Square, the Codman Square Branch, the East Boston Branch, the Jamaica Plain Branch and the Mattapan branch will open this week. Other branches will be gradually phased in.
The BPL To Go launch comes as the state moves into the second step of phase two of reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic, which also includes indoor dining and personal services.
Leonard said logistics for smaller branches will be difficult, and the organization will have to get creative about how to safely open its doors while maintaining proper social distancing for visitors and staff.
