Nancy Klingener of the Monroe County Public Libraries joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the libraries.
The library on Fleming Street in Key West, known as the “little pink library,” closed Sept. 21 for what is expected to be about four weeks of roof work.
“We wanted to get it done as fast as possible and as safely as possible,” Klingener said. “And I just want to let people know that we are still offering services in Key West, in and around Key West.”
One of the primary temporary locations is a pop-up library on the second floor of the Harvey Government Center, the historic Truman School, at the corner of Truman Avenue and White Street.
The pop-up library is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday while the Key West branch is closed.
Klingener said the library has brought approximately 500 books and DVDs to the temporary location. Staff can also help patrons request specific titles, answer questions, issue and renew library cards and provide other services.
Bernstein Park on Stock Island is another option for patrons. The location has a pickup locker where library users can have requested materials delivered, as well as a lending machine stocked with books and DVDs.
Klingener said the lending machine can be particularly useful for people looking for popular new titles.
“A lot of times, a really popular title like a hot new James Patterson book or a newly released movie on DVD, it’ll be sitting there, and you can come get it rather than wait in line on request,” she said.
The Bernstein Park location also offers extended hours, operating from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Library programs and activities are continuing at other locations, including Bernstein Park, and schedules for events and temporary services are available through the Monroe County Public Libraries website.
The Florida Keys History Center is also continuing to operate remotely during the closure. While visitors cannot enter the center in person, staff remain available by phone and email, and numerous historical resources are available online.
The History Center’s online collection includes more than 24,000 archival images.
Klingener encouraged residents to check the library’s online calendar, which allows users to search for events by location, save events to their personal calendars, set email reminders and share events with others.
Online library resources also remain available around the clock, including ebooks and other digital materials.
Residents who do not have a library card can begin the registration process online. Klingener said online registration provides 90 days of access, during which time the patron can visit a library branch, show proof of local residency and receive a two-year library card.
More information about services, programs and the temporary locations is available at keyslibraries.org.
Klingener also offered an unusual bit of Key West library history – the current library building has been expanded several times, with additions made in 1975 and 1993, but officials are not certain how old the existing roof is.
“The absolute youngest that roof is is from 1993,” Klingener said. “Parts of it may date back farther.”
The library also has a connection to legendary Key West musician Jimmy Buffett. Klingener said the library’s collection includes a letter from Buffett offering to pay for an air-conditioning upgrade because he used the library as an office before he became successful enough to have an office of his own.
The roof replacement is expected to take approximately four weeks, with library officials encouraging patrons to use the temporary locations and online resources while the work is underway.