The Westfield Washington Public Library has an exciting announcement to share with our patrons. Effective immediately, the library has eliminated overdue fines on all of our materials! Yes, we are now FINE FREE! We have also removed all outstanding overdue fines on all WWPL materials from our patrons’ records.

Why this change? It’s all about increasing access to our library’s resources and collections. Our goal is to serve all members of our community, and to encourage free and equal access to information and reading materials. Library fines may disproportionately impact lower-income families and create barriers for those who may need public libraries the most.  More and more libraries across the country have made this change, and we are looking forward to welcoming back patrons who may have stayed away from the library due to overdue fines. Frequently children, not necessarily through any fault of their own, accrued overdue fines on their accounts, and we are excited to be able forgive those past fines and once again allow them access to our collection.

Items checked out will still have due dates, and we encourage our patrons to continue to return their materials responsibly and in a timely manner. If an item has no more renewals and is 28 days overdue, the item will be marked lost and the patron will automatically be billed for it. Patrons will also still be charged for damaged items. This new fine free policy applies only to library materials specifically owned by the WWPL. Other Evergreen libraries may still charge overdue fines for their materials, so patrons will need to be aware of that if they request items from the broader Evergreen catalog.

Today’s public libraries are dynamic community centers for all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. Our goal is to encourage ALL of our community members of all ages to use the library, and to take advantage of the wealth of materials and resources we have to offer. Eliminating overdue fines takes us one step closer toward fulfilling our mission statement of “fostering exploration, discovery, and growth” to our entire Westfield Washington Township community.

The Westfield Washington Public Library is pleased to announce we have been selected to receive a $1,000 Advancing Racial Equity Collection Development Grant. In response to the death of George Floyd and ensuing protests, Indiana Humanities offered a one-time grant opportunity to allow libraries, school and community organizations to add books and materials that advance racial equity to their circulating collections.

The list of materials and books includes fiction and non-fiction titles for children, teens and adults in multiple formats. To develop this list, librarians, humanities scholars and Indiana Humanities staff consulted Central Indiana Community Foundation’s “Tools for Accountability,” and resource lists provided by Booklist (a publication of the American Library Association). The list was also reviewed by the Indianapolis Public Library’s Diversity & Inclusion Center for Black Literature & Culture staff.

The goal of this project is to help Hoosiers think, read and talk about racial injustice and systemic racism, and to support libraries as key public humanities organizations in this work.

This project was made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment.

We are carefully reopening the library building on Monday, June 15, 2020

We have missed you! We are now ready to carefully reopen our building with limited services, new hours, and safe social distancing protocols. Curbside pick-up service will continue for those who prefer contact free checkout of library materials.

What Can You Expect When You Visit Us? Things will look a bit different.

• More open space to allow for safe social distancing.
• Fewer desks and less seating in open areas.
• Please enter the library building ONLY through the southwest doors, by the community room.
• The main (previous) library entrance will be used for curbside pick-up service and will now be an EXIT ONLY.
• The Computer Lab has been arranged for safe social distancing.
• Additional self-checkout stations have been installed, if you wish to use them.
• Our staff will be wearing face masks or face shields, and we respectfully ask that our patrons do the same. Beginning on July 27, Indiana Governor Holcomb’s executive order requires those 8 years and older to wear face masks in indoor public spaces. Those unable to wear a mask for medical reasons are exempt from this requirement.
• If you do not have a face mask, we will provide one for you, free of charge.
• Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the building and we encourage its frequent use.
• Please return library items in the outside book drops only so that they may be quarantined.
• Floors will be taped to show patrons where to wait for service. Please practice safe social distancing from others in line and from our staff.
• Restrooms will be open, but drinking fountains will be unavailable. Hand washing is always strongly encouraged!

We are phasing in library services and are not currently offering in-person programs here at the library.  Toys and puzzles are also unavailable. The Craft Room and Story Castle are currently closed. We will continue to offer a wide variety of virtual programs for all ages, and virtual program details will be posted on our website calendar and social media.

Study rooms are available with a 1-hour time limit. Small rooms are limited to 1-2 people, and the large room is limited to 4 people. Contact the Information Desk to reserve a room. Reservations may be made 1 week in advance.

Feel free to browse our stacks while practicing social distancing and wearing your face covering.

We respectfully ask everyone to keep your library visits as brief as possible, so that we may limit the number of people in the building.

If you are sick or symptomatic, we ask that you not visit the building until you are well. We are happy to continue to provide curbside pick-up and assistance over the phone.

After School Policy at the WWPL:

As school begins, Westfield Washington Public Library would like to make you aware of our current policies for after school visitors:

· Face coverings are required at all times.

· Students will not be allowed to be at the library for long periods of time for activities such as team hang-outs or class group work due to lack of seating.

· The teen room itself has reduced seating due to physical distancing guidelines and chairs should not be moved from the marked spot.

· Sitting on the floor will not be allowed.

· Food and uncapped drinks will not be allowed.

· The 2 teen study rooms are limited to only 2 people for an hour limit, with priority given to tutoring pairs.

· Club meetings, the gaming station, cards, board games & crafts are currently suspended.

· To help with physical distancing and building capacity, the library is asking patrons to limit their time to quick “grab and go” visits (picking up holds, browsing for items to check out, updating or registering for library cards, etc.).

Thank you for your help in keeping all of our staff & patrons safe!

Questions about our after school policy?  Please contact the Teen Librarian, Lisa Williams at LWilliams@wwpl.lib.in.us

Here’s how curbside service works:

1. Use the catalog at wwpl.lib.in.us or call 317-896-9391 during library hours posted below to place the items you want on hold.

2. You will receive your usual hold notification via phone call, text or email that your items are ready for pick-up.

3. Call 317-896-9391 when you are on your way to the library. Staff will place your items in a labeled bag on the table at the main entrance of the library.

Library Reopening Safeguards

COVID-19 Library Service FAQ

What steps is the library taking in our current circumstances? Where can I find more information about COVID-19 and local resources if I need help?

Information and useful links can be found here.

Is the library building open to the public?

The library building is carefully reopening on June 15, 2020. Details on how we are reopening can be found here. Curbside service will also continue to be available for those who prefer contact free checkout of library materials. Library staff is in the building and available during our business hours to answer questions and assist patrons via telephone at 317-896-9391.

How does curbside pick-up service work?

1. Use the catalog at wwpl.lib.in.us or call 317-896-9391 during our curbside pick-up hours posted below to place the items you want on hold.

2. You will receive your usual hold notification via phone call, text or email that your items are ready for pick-up.

3. Call 317-896-9391 when you are on your way to the library. Staff will place your items in a labeled bag on the table at the main entrance of the library.

What are your curbside pick-up hours?

MON – WED: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

THURS – FRI: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

SAT: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

SUN: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

How do I access eBooks or audiobooks via Libby?

Click here for instructions.

How do I use hoopla to borrow eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music, and more?

Click here for instructions.

What resources can I access online?

To access to downloadable materials, visit this link. You may also find additional electronic resources from our Resources page.

When will events and outreach at the library resume?

Programming will resume in a limited capacity beginning on September 1, 2020. We will also be offering a variety of virtual programs for all ages, and will continue to reassess the situation. Check our events calendar for more information – https://wwpl.librarycalendar.com/

Can I still book a meeting room?

Rooms are now available for public use in a limited capacity. Please check our events calendar for room availability – https://wwpl.librarycalendar.com/ – then contact the Information Desk via phone at 317-896-9391 for more details and to book rooms.

How can I get updates about the library’s operations?

Check this page for updates and follow us on our social media pages.

What if I need public WiFi access?

Public WiFi is available inside the library when we are open. You can also access it from our west side parking lot, if you prefer not to enter the building and also when our physical building is closed. The network is LibraryWiFi and no password is needed.

How do I reset my password/pin?

Follow the instructions below. Your Evergreen password is also your password for logging into online databases and downloading materials from apps such as Libby and Hoopla.

The Westfield Washington Public Library is aware of the recent diagnosis of COVID-19 in central Indiana.

If you are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, please do your part to stop the spread of germs and disease.

Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.

Routinely wipe and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Remember that the library has many digital services you can access from home.

Useful Links

8 Things to know about the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program

Visit this link to find resources for Job Loss, Income Disruption, and Family Changes

Wellbeing Coalition of Westfield
Resources for those in our community who need help or can provide help.

Hamilton County Health Department

US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Information about COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention tips, and a situation summary.

World Health Organization (WHO)
A global perspective on the COVID-19 outbreak.

We are excited to announce our newest resource, hoopla digital: a new digital media service provided to you, our patron, through which you may access and enjoy over half a million titles, from six different formats: Movies, TV, Music Albums, eAudiobooks , eBooks, and Comics/Graphic Novels. All in one location, from your computer, tablet or Smartphone!

With hoopla, there are no hold lists, no extra apps or accounts needed or special steps to use it. It just works!

On a mobile device, borrowed content may be temporarily downloaded and accessed offline or, either in the app or on a computer; all borrowed content may be enjoyed while connected to the internet by streaming.

We really love this service. It is easy to use and provides our library patrons instant access (again, with no waiting!!) to any titles they want. As a library cardholder, you may borrow up to 5 titles per month.

To register for and enjoy hoopla digital free with your library card, please download the hoopla digital app from your Apple or Google Play store on your mobile device. If you are using a computer, you may visit https://www.hoopladigital.com/ . For more information or should you have questions, please contact us.

We hope you enjoy hoopla digital and look forward to your feedback!

You may now reserve soon-to-be-released books before they are officially published. Each month we will have several upcoming and sure-to-be popular titles that will be available to reserve in our online catalog, even before they are published. A current list of upcoming releases is posted at the library, or you can call our reference desk for more information at 317-896-9391.

Join us for a delicious catered brunch and themed BINGO! We will play seven rounds of BINGO with a cover-all to end the event. Here’s your chance to win fun prizes. Bring some friends along or meet some new ones!

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Westfield Washington Public Library on the first Thursday of the month*. (*July and August 2019 BINGO Brunches will be on the second Thursday.)

Cost to participate is $10. Registration closes on the Monday prior to the event date. You must pre-register to participate.

This event is geared toward ages 50+ but all adults are welcome to attend.

2019 Dates for BINGO Brunch are: January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 11, August 8, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5

A BIG thank you to our Bingo Brunch Sponsors: Copper Trace Senior Living and the Friends of the Westfield Library! Without their generosity, this program would not be possible!

To register, go to this link through Eventbrite.

If you have haven’t found what you are looking for in the Evergreen catalog, you may want to try searching SRCS, which stands for Statewide Remote Circulation Service.

SRCS, Indiana’s Statewide Remote Circulation Service, is Indiana’s latest and largest resource sharing tool.  It links together the catalogs of over 150 Indiana libraries into a single interface containing over 30 million items all held by Indiana Libraries.  Authorized users can search this combined catalog and request to have selected materials delivered to their home library using the InfoExpress courier, where they can check them out. SRCS is not a replacement for your library’s Inter-Library Loan system, rather it works with over 15 different ILS systems to provide this extended access and functionality.

To access the SRCS homepage, go to our “Find Materials” section on our website’s homepage and click on the SRCS link/logo. You will need to know your library card barcode and password to log in, search, and place a request through the SRCS system. Please stop in the library if you don’t know your barcode or password.