We are happy to welcome you to the Library. We are offering expanded services with some limitations, to reduce contact and close interactions to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

In-person services available during this phase:
          • Borrowing of books, audiobooks, movies, CDs, and magazines from the collection.
          • Use of Express computers, with printing available, for one 20-minute session per day
          • ILL services (In-State accessible materials only).
          • Access to the Children's Library, available by appointment.
          • The Library will continue to offer virtual programs and access to digital materials.

To allow extra time for disinfection and cleaning of communal spaces each day, the Library will continue to operate with reduced hours.
External Cart Pick Up Service and In-Library Hours:
          • Monday through Friday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
          • Saturday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
          • No Sunday

The Library is taking numerous precautions to allow for the health and safety of staff and patrons:
          • Limiting the number of patrons in the Library at any given time.
          • Implementing 6 feet social distancing protocols.
          • Reducing Library hours to ensure sufficient time for enhanced cleaning.
          • Implementing a separate entrance and exit from the Library to allow for one-way foot traffic.
          • Removing seating and asking patrons not to congregate.
          • Applying one-way routes through the building and adding traffic markers.
          • Requiring all staff and patrons to wear masks that cover nose and mouth.
          • Using plexiglass shields at selected service points.
          • Quarantining returned Library materials for 72 hours.
          • Increasing frequency of cleaning of the building and service points.
          • Requiring patrons to wipe down computer keyboards and self-check stations after use.
          • Providing hand-sanitizing stations and encouraging frequent hand washing.
          • Strongly discouraging people from bringing food and drink into the Library. 

Please help us keep our staff and the community safe by:
          • Wearing masks that cover nose and mouth. (Mandatory in the building)
          • Staying home if you’re experiencing symptoms of any illness.
          • Staying home if you or any family member has been told to quarantine.
          • Washing or sanitizing your hands frequently.
          • Maintaining a distance of at least six feet from staff and other patrons.
          • Keeping your visit to the Library short to allow other patrons to enjoy use of the Library.
          • Following the instructions of Library staff.

To support social distancing and adequately manage the flow of people around the spaces and around materials, we are limiting the number of people in the Library to 100.

You may be asked to wait in line until we have space for additional patrons. While in line, please follow social distancing guidelines and keep six feet between you and other patrons. A staff member will let you know when you may enter the Library.

To learn more about the state’s latest travel advisories, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Covid-19-Knowledge-Base/Travel-In-or-Out-of-CT for more information.

Yes, the Library requires all patrons to wear masks that always cover nose and mouth the entire time they are in the Library.

The Westport Library will offer external pickup of materials via a cart and Homebound Delivery of Library materials until further notice. To learn more about these services:
Cart Side Service
Homebound Delivery

We will continue to offer eBooks and audiobooks, online resources and more via our website. Please reach out to us by phone or email if you have questions.

YES. Appointments are recommended to visit the Children’s Library. A family or cohort of up to five people will have the Children’s Library to themselves for thirty minutes. If users leave before the thirty minutes are over, walk-ins can book the remaining time. Children 12 or over can continue to access the Children’s Library without an adult present. Book your appointment now.

Yes, holds will be available in the Library for pick up during Library hours.

Overdue fines will be waived during this period.

Due to Health and Safety considerations, Library of Things and Children's Toys and Children's Kits will not be available for circulation. 

Given that many museums are still closed or operating with extensive restrictions, the Library will not be circulating museum passes.

Since newspapers are high-touch items, for safety reasons, they will not be available in this phase. Magazines will not be available for in-Library reading and patrons may check them out, including the latest issue.

At this stage we have not determined when we will move to the next phase of reopening. The health and safety of our staff and patrons will remain our top priority and so we will move to the next stage of reopening or revert to a prior phase based on the guidance of the Governor and on local health indicators.

Our meeting and study rooms and communal spaces are not available until further notice.

Use of the Maker Space will be available during this phase by reservation only.
Use of the Maker Space will be limited to training on and use of the 3D printers by appointment only at this time. On-line and zoom support for projects will also be available.

Hours: M-F 2-6pm, Sat: Noon-4pm.
To ensure social distancing and the safety of staff and patrons only one person (plus a caregiver for Children under 12) will be allowed in the Maker Space at a time.

The following health and safety protocols are being implemented:
The duration of appointments have been reduced to ensure sufficient time for enhanced cleaning; patrons are required to use hand sanitizer prior to entering the space; plexiglass shields are being used to help prevent the spread of germs; bringing food and drink into the MakerSpace is strongly discouraged; equipment will be sanitized between uses. Finished 3D prints are not touched (without gloves) as they are removed from the printer and packaged for patron pickup.

Use of the Media Studios during this phase will be by reservation only and with adherence to strict Health and Safety protocols. To make a reservation for Podcast Training or for use of the Podcast Studio or for any media-related questions. Please email [email protected] or call Travis Bell at 203.291.4818 for questions relating to use of Verso Studios during this phase. 

Yes, but only one person or one household will be allowed in a restroom at any given time.

The café is not open, but the store is available by appointment. Appointments can be virtual, or one-on-one in person. They are available Monday through Friday during Library hours. Each appointment is 25 minutes long and can be scheduled. Walk-ins are welcome, when Store staff is available. Please inquire at the Patron Services desk.

We will continue to use the white trailer structure for Books, CDs and DVD returns. The trailer is located adjacent to the Library in the Upper Level parking lot. A book return slot has been created to make it convenient for patrons to return their Library materials. Patrons will not be allowed to enter the trailer.

The health and safety of our patrons and staff members is our highest priority. The Library wishes to avoid bringing potentially contaminated materials into the Library building. The trailer enables the Library to place potentially contaminated materials in a holding cell before they are brought into the Library for thorough decontamination. Please refer to the Library’s procedures for quarantining materials here.

We encourage patrons to return their materials so that other patrons can enjoy them. If for any reason you cannot return your materials, please call patron services to go through the renewal process.

According to the most up-to-date guidance, time is the most effective disinfectant. All available resources suggest 72 hours is the appropriate duration to quarantine books and other materials. All returned items will be quarantined for 72 hours. In the interest of being extra cautious, the Library will also use UVC lighting in the disinfecting process. 

The Library will hold returned materials in the white trailer outside the building to prevent the virus from being brought directly into the Library. Materials will be moved to the Komansky room in batches where they will be quarantined for 3 days. After the 3 days, materials will be checked in and removed from the patron's account.

All new materials the Library receives from vendors will be quarantined for 72 hours from the date they were packed into the boxes.

Materials will remain on the patron's account for a minimum of 72 hours, since items will be checked in only once the quarantine procedure is complete. For more information, please refer to the Library’s guidelines for quarantining materials here.

As we are quarantining returned materials before checking items in, there will be delays in delivering holds materials to the next patron.

Yes. If a family member or friend is available to pick up your holds, they can do so. You can give them your Library card to check out your materials.

We ask that you use self-checkout stations to help us minimize close interactions during this time. To use the self-checkout, you’ll need to scan your Library card or key in your Library card number.

Please use hand sanitizer before and after using the self-checkout. Hand sanitizer will be provided.

As always, please ask for help if you need it.

Computer access will be limited to three Express stations with printing capability. Sessions on “Express” computers are 20 minutes per day. The computers are placed apart to support social distancing and wipes are available at the computers and we are encouraging patrons to wipe down computers before and after use.

No, the reason is twofold. These are both high-touch resources and so to ensure the health and safety of our patrons we are not offering this service. Secondly, since we are limiting the number of patrons in the building and to ensure everybody has an opportunity to gain access without waiting in line, we are not offering services that will encourage people to linger in this phase.

These are all high-touch resources and so to ensure the health and safety of our patrons, we are not offering these services.

If you need help downloading with accessing our digital collection, check out our video tutorials here. For any other tech questions, you can email us at [email protected].

Yes, in accordance with the Governor’s recommendations, all in-person programs will continue to be offered virtually. Please see our events calendar to learn more about our offerings.

Book Donations are not currently being accepted. We will resume this in the spring.

For the duration of the pandemic, book donations are “contact-less” — book donors should bring their materials directly to the grey brick shed immediately next to the Book Donation Center in the Library’s Upper Parking Lot.

For further information, please visit the Westport Book Sale's website at www.westportbooksaleventures.org.

Thank you for considering a gift to the Westport Library. 

The Westport Library Association is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Contributions are fully deductible under federal tax regulations. The Westport Library accepts online donations using major credit cards. Your online transactions are safe and secure. The Library does not share donor information. The Westport Library is eligible for corporate matching grants.

For questions or additional information, please click here.