Access to Computers, Printing, and Other Technology AVAILABLE at Suffolk Libraries and Recreation Centers
In order to provide expanded technology access to the Suffolk community, the Suffolk Public Library and Suffolk Parks & Recreation will offer access to computers, printing, and other technology in designated Libraries and Recreation Centers beginning Monday, December 14, 2020.
Parks & Recreation Technology Services
East Suffolk and Whaleyville Recreation Center computer labs will be open from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Noon), and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Noon) on Saturdays. The computer labs will close weekdays between 12 p.m. (Noon) and 1 p.m. for equipment disinfecting, however, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols will be in place throughout the entire time the labs are open.
Masks must be worn when entering Recreation Centers and while using the computer labs. All customers will be asked health screening questions regarding COVID-19 symptoms, and temporal no-touch body temperature scans will be taken. No one with a temperature at or above 100.4 degrees will be permitted in the building. A maximum of 2 customers will be allowed in the computer labs at any time. Computer use will be limited to one hour per customer. Customers must register at the Recreation Center front desk for computer use. Customers may be required to wait to enter the facility during peak times. All customers will be required to maintain 6 feet of social distancing while inside the computer labs.
East Suffolk and Whaleyville Recreation Center computer labs are available for use with an annual Recreation Center membership. Recreation Center memberships for residents are $20 per year for adults, $10 per year for teens, and $5 per year for seniors ages 55 and up.
The East Suffolk Recreation Center is located at 138 S. 6th Street, and the Whaleyville Recreation Center is located at 132 Robertson Street.
Suffolk Public Library Technology Services
Morgan Memorial and North Suffolk Library will be open for technology use only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In order to maintain a safe, socially distanced environment, everyone will need to check in with staff when entering. Face coverings will be required to enter any facility, as well as the completion of a multi-question health assessment. Access will be restricted to one hour for the use of technology with other areas of the buildings remaining closed and inaccessible. Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, staff will be unable to provide one-on-one technical assistance. Curbside pickup service will continue to be available. Please contact Library staff at 757-514-7323 for more information.
In order to meet demands for technology access while maintaining social distancing in the Library, Kindle Fire Tablets will be available for checkout and home use for up to 3 weeks with a Library account. In addition to the Kindle Fire Tablets, laptops are available to be checked out for four hours for use on Library property. All of these items, in addition to the WiFi2Go mobile hotspots, may be requested by using curbside pickup service at Morgan Memorial Library and North Suffolk Library. Laptops are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be placed on hold in advance. Printing of documents is available through Curbside Service for no-contact pickup. E-mail documents to reference@suffolkva.us indicating the number of copies and preferred pickup location.
To utilize curbside pickup service, Library cardholders must place holds in advance and wait to receive a text, e-mail, or phone call notification before coming to the Library. Once at the Library, customers can drive or walk up to one of the designated spots and call the Library, 757-514-7323 for Morgan Memorial, and 757-514-7150 for North Suffolk. Library staff will bring items out and place them on a table, and then indicate when the customer can approach the table to retrieve their items. Any items customers bring back to the Library must be returned to the item drops and will not be accepted on the tables. Exceptions include WiFi2Go, Litter Cleanup Kits, and Cake Pans, which do not fit in the item drops and can be returned by using the Library’s curbside service and calling staff. All items returned to the Library go through a quarantine period prior to returning to circulation.
Library cardholders can place items on hold through their account online or by calling the Library. People can sign up for a free Library card online through the library’s website for immediate access to digital content and to place holds on print materials. In addition to books, cardholders can check out items from the Library of Things which include Litter Cleanup Kits, Knitting Kits, Adventure2Go Kits, and more.
For more information regarding computer lab use, contact East Suffolk Recreation Center at (757) 514-4500, or for the Whaleyville Recreation Center, (757) 514-7100.
To learn more about the Suffolk Public Library (757-514-7323), visit www.suffolkpubliclibrary.com. Follow the Library on Twitter @SufPubLib, and check for updates on Facebook at Facebook.com/SuffolkPublicLibrary. Subscribe to Suffolk Public Library’s YouTube Channel to access a collection of digital classes.