Get At-Home COVID-19 Tests

The Library is providing at-home COVID-19 tests at all open locations, in partnership with New York Test & Trace Corps. 

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Socially Distanced Checkout Procedures

The Library now offers three safe, socially distant ways for patrons to check out their holds and other materials. All patrons must check out items before leaving our branches, using either our staff-assisted process or express self-checkout stations, or the new NYPL app.

Bring your library card—download our mobile app—when you visit the library.

Photograph of a hand holding a New York Public Library card that says Knowledge Is Power

Policies & Procedures

To ensure the health and safety of the public and our staff, policies and procedures created in collaboration with safety experts must be followed.

At all our open locations:

  • Masks are strongly recommended.
  • Holds placed online or on the phone can be picked up at your designated branch.
  • Materials must be checked out using one of the Library’s three socially distant checkout systems.
  • Materials must be returned in designated areas, including book drops.
  • Visitors may browse materials for an unlimited amount of time.
  • Advanced reservations are available to use public computers. Learn more.
  • Laptops are available to use at our libraries by request .
  • General available space and library seating may be used for an unlimited amount of time.
  • Visitors can sign up for a library card or update their card’s status from digital-only to full borrowing privileges.

In addition, the Library is taking precautionary cleaning measures, as well as making a few accommodations for patron accounts, during this period of service:

  • Late fines on all items have been eliminated as of October 2021.
  • New Yorkers issued digital library cards during closure must update their card type in order to check out physical materials.

Research Update

Our research centers have restored onsite access to their collections. In addition, service has been expanded at select locations to permit walk-in patrons who want to sit in public reading rooms, including the Rose Main Reading Room at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, for quiet study, thought, and computer use. Some research divisions are operating on an appointment-only basis, in line with pre-pandemic service. Find out how to access collections and services at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, and the Thomas Yoseloff Business Center at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL).

Research services will continue to serve patrons virtually via at-home access to research databases, virtual reference, staff monitoring research requests, etc. More information here.