Cranberry Public Library at 2525 Rochester Road is open for in-person browsing and pickup. Summer reading programs and story time are being conducted virtually.

Butler County libraries hope they are turning to a new chapter in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Libraries are slowly beginning to revive services, check out books and plan some version of summer programs, each on an individual basis.

“There's no countywide schedule,” said Lori Hinderliter, executive director of the Butler Area Public Library, located at 218 N. McKean St. in Butler. The library will reopen to the public Monday with pandemic restrictions.

Cranberry Public LibraryCranberry Public Library, 2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, opted not to offer curbside book service, said its director Leslie Pallota.“We opened for in-person browsing and pickups June 10,” said Pallotta. “People can come in a browse and check out items. We decided not to do curbside service because we couldn't do both efficiently.”But, she added, library visitors can't do much more than choose materials and check them out, preferably in a speedy manner.“All seating has been removed and the computers aren't available until safety equipment arrives,” Pallotta said. “There will be no in-person programming for awhile.”Summer reading programs and story time are being conducted virtually.Library visitors are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.The need to stagger staff shifts has led to abbreviated hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 1 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Zelienople Area Public LibraryThe Zelienople Area Public Library, 227 High St., reopened to the public Monday with revised hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays.Wearing of masks is required when visiting the library (with the exception of persons with a health condition that prevents the use of a mask, and children under age 2). Also, there is a cap on the number of persons in the library at any one time, which is 50.Library visitors must practice social distancing, wash hands regularly and use hand sanitizer.The library's curbside pickup service will continue for now.To request materials (books, DVDs, etc.) to pick up outside of the library call 724-452-9330, or place requests online by logging into the library's patron account at bcfls.tlcdelivers.com. Use the bar code number on the back of the library card.The library will call when the requested items are ready for pickup. The book drop is open. Returned materials will be quarantined for 72 hours.The summer reading program kicks off Monday with a virtual juggling show by Jester Jim that will be streamed live at 3 p.m. on the library Facebook page.Registration information for the reading program will be available on the library's website and Facebook pages. The program will be entirely virtual and will run through Aug. 8.

Mars Area Public LibraryThe Mars Area Public Library, 107 Grand Ave., isn't anticipating opening to the public until August. But in this case, it's not such much a matter of social distancing than a matter of installation, said director Caitlyn Boland.“We are getting full-building carpet installation underneath all the books shelves,” she said.In the meantime, contactless book pickup is continuing.Patrons can log on to their library accounts and request up to 10 itemsWhen the items are ready, library staff will contact the patron to schedule a pickup time“We bag it and place it in the entryway. It's grab and go,” Boland said.Pickup hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.Returns of all items, including DVDs and CDs, can be made in the book drop.All returned items will have a delayed check-in for quarantine and sanitation.Evans City LibraryThe Evans City Library, 204 S. Jackson St., also offers curbside service. Patrons are now able to place up to 10 holds per card and all items are on loan for a two-week period.Curbside is by appointment only. Place a hold on an item and one of our staff members will be in touch to set up an appointment for contactless pickup.

North Trails Public LibraryNorth Trails Public Library, 1553 W. Sunbury Road, West Sunbury, is offering curbside pickup of materials from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, said Kathy Kline, library director. Materials can be ordered online or during designated hours.“Our summer programs are virtual this year,” Kline said. “They can go on the library website and register to win badges and prizes.”Kline said she plans to open the library July 6 for people to use the computers or just browse the collection. She stressed entrance to the library will be by appointment only.“Our library is so small, we can't accommodate browsers and practice social distancing,” she said.

Prospect Community LibraryThat's also the case with the Prospect Community Library, 357 Main St., said its director Jill Hambley. The library reopened to the public Monday but only to five visitors at a time.“Our library is very small,” said Hambley. “People have to be masked, and we have a sanitation station.”For those who can't wear a mask, Hambley said the library will continue its curbside pickup during the library's temporary hours: 1 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.