STORY BY GIL RUBINSTEIN, PHOTO BY TOMOKI CHIEN

Following the county’s drop to the orange tier of coronavirus restrictions, the Los Altos Library will continue to expand its in-person services after first opening for lobby service in March.

Effective April 19, all libraries in the Santa Clara County Library District — which includes the Los Altos Library — will be able to host up to 50% occupancy in their buildings, which includes indoor browsing. 

The Woodland Branch Library will open later than other district libraries, due to “its own challenges which are being tackled,” according to Pierre Bedard, chair of the Los Altos Library Commission.

“It is exciting to welcome patrons back into our library spaces,” said County Librarian Jennifer Weeks in a recent press release. “Due to the hard work and flexibility of our staff, the District has provided a wide variety of in-person and virtual library services that evolved along with the changing COVID-19 guidelines.”

Libraries will continue to provide computer and printing services, and patrons will be able to access computers with a variety of installed software including programs from the Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office. 

“This is wonderful news for Santa Clara County Library District patrons!” said Mike Wasserman, president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and chair of the Library Joint Powers Authority Board. “It’s encouraging to see more businesses, schools and our libraries able to welcome residents back.”

For the time being, library events will remain virtual. Residents may still make appointments for contactless curbside pickup at this link.

Wednesday, April 7: The Woodland Branch Library was previously listed as opening on the 19th. The Woodland Library will open at a later date.