Events/Programs, Summer Reading Program

Summer Reading Starts Next Week!

Dig Deep with us this summer as we

READ, EXPLORE, and DISCOVER!

Summer Reading sign-up is June 1st- 5th.

We will have in-person sign-up outside on the library lawn (weather permitting) from 10am-2pm Monday-Friday next week. For the safety of our patrons and staff, social distancing will be enforced and masks are strongly encouraged. We will also have an online sign-up form available here on our website and on our Facebook page if you cannot or do not wish to stop by in person.

Programs will begin the week of June 8th

Check out the Summer Reading section of our website for information about the programs we’ll be holding this summer: https://pineisland.lib.mn.us/summer-events/

Make sure to check back here frequently for any changes or additions to our summer line-up.

See you soon!

News

Computers

Thank you all for your patience with library services during this challenging time due to COVID-19. We have been hard at work to develop policies that allow you, our patrons, to access library services. To that end, we are happy to announce that we are able to come in and use our computers! 

Starting Tuesday, May 26 we can allow up to 3 people at a time to come in to use our computers. The following guidelines must be followed:

  1. Use of computers is available by appointment only.You must call (507-356-8558) or email the library to make your appointment at least 30 minutes before you would like to come in. Appointments will be made on a first come, first served basis.
  2. Appointments are available on the hour every hour from 11AM to 5PM and last for a maximum of 45 minutes.If you need more time, you are invited to make another appointment, but will have to exit the library in the meantime.
  3. Door hardware, computer stations and printers will be disinfected after each appointment slot.
  4. Appointments are ONLY to use our public computers.We are unable to allow the public to access our book or DVD shelves safely at this time. We hope to open for browsing appointments in the not-too-distant future, but we do not have a timeline for this yet. 
  5. Please enter the library from the main door upstairs and exit from the youth library door. If you need to use the elevator to gain access, let us know so we can let you in.
  6. Social distancing rules of being at least 6 feet apart will be strictly enforced.
  7. For the safety of our patrons, VHPL staff will wear masks when patrons are present. For the safety of VHPL staff, we strongly encourage that computer users do the same.
  8. Computer help from staff will be severely limited due to social distancing requirements. 

Refusal to follow these guidelines may result in the patron being asked to leave the library. 

We are happy to start offering this service to our community. Please contact the library if you have questions. 

News

Curbside pickup

Curbside pickup starts today! Drive up and pop your trunk, then call the library at 356-8558. We’ll bring your books and movies out to you. You don’t even have to leave your car. If you have library materials to return, please have them in your trunk or drop them off at the returns by our main door.

We look forward to seeing you M-F from 10-6!

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Updated Newsletter

Just a reminder that we will be completely closed for the next two weeks, starting Monday, March 23. This means we will discontinue curbside service for the next 2 weeks. If you have requested any items, they must be picked up by 6pm Friday, March 27th.

If you have a burning need for a new book in the meantime, please remember we have access to over 16,000 titles online through Overdrive and its Libby app. The Little Free Library is also available by the PI Pool with a variety of reading materials.

Library staff will be working from home. If you have research questions, please email or Facebook message us, and we’ll get back to you. Since we will not be at the library, we will not be able to accept phone calls or returned items in the book drops.

All items you have checked out are currently due on April 18. We hope to begin taking returns on April 13. Do not try to return items before the 13th!

One other change is that the Book Club meeting for April has been cancelled. If you have the chance to read The Feather Thief, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

We know this is difficult for you to not come to the library. We feel it, too. We can get through this together. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing you back at the library as soon as it’s safe to reopen.

News

Shelter in Place & the VHPL

Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz has issued a statewide shelter-in-place order that starts on Friday at 11:59pm and will continue through Friday, April 10. You can read more about his order on his website.

What does this mean for the Van Horn Public Library? 

Following this order means we will be completely closed 3/30-4/10/2020. Our staff will not be in the building, and we will not be able to supply curbside services. At this time, we do not know if we will be offering curbside pickup after this order expires on April 10.

Any items currently checked out are now due on April 18.  

Please remember we have access to over 16,000 titles online through Overdrive and its Libby app.

You can also get books (without a due date!) from the Little Free Library by the Pine Island Pool. 

We will post more information about resuming library services when we know more and have updates. Thank you for your understanding and support in this challenging time.

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Available Library Services

The Van Horn Public Library is currently closed.
While we are closed to the public at the moment, we are happy to offer the following services to our patrons.
  • Ebooks & EAudiobooks through Overdrive and its Libby app. 
  • Curbside Pickup – Request specific items online, email us at pipl@selco.info or call the library at 507-356-8558. If you don’t know exactly what you want, but know you want a book from a specific genre, let us know and we will do our best to pick something out for you. 
  • Online activities and projects – Library staff will be posting interesting virtual field trips, crafting ideas, and other activities to help you keep from getting too stir crazy! Check out our Facebook page to see what we are finding.
  • Visit the Little Free Library by the Pine Island Pool to grab a book without a due date! 
Library staff will be available from 10-6, Monday-Friday (starting 3/19) to answer any questions and provide curbside services. Thank you for your understanding and support in this challenging time.