Dear Patrons,

The Andover Libraries are closed until further notice. We will most likely reopen when the schools reopen. We apologize for the inconvenience, but safety and health for all of us must come first.

However, we would like to provide books, audiobooks, and DVDs for you.

Please be willing to be flexible and patient while we figure out a system that will work for everyone and keep everyone safe.

We would like to offer curbside delivery at the libraries, or home delivery if it is difficult for you to come to us. We would also like to continue to process interlibrary loan requests, and add those titles to our curbside and home delivery.

Please do not come to the library expecting to browse, and please do not enter the library if you notice that we are in the libraries working. Please browse our catalogs on the internet: our website is: andovernhlibrary.weebly.com. Once on our website you will see a link for the catalogs. Please note that each library has its own catalog link. Enter a title and the program will let you know if we have that particular title, and if it is available. Then e-mail us (Lee: wablibrary@nullgmail.com; Priscilla: andoverpl@nullcomcast.net, or call us and leave a message to let us know that you would like to check out the book, or audio book, or DVD (Andover Public Library 735-5333; W.A.Bachelder Library: 735-5076).  We will get back to you to work out a time for you to come by, and we will bring materials out to you in your car or we will drop it off at your home.

Please do not return materials as soon as you are done with them. Please keep materials until we officially reopen, by that time we should know if we need to disinfect materials, and how to do it if disinfecting is indeed needed.

Although many libraries in New Hampshire are completely closed, many are doing curbside service, home delivery, and ILL. If you would like to request something that we don’t have, we can try to get it for you on Inter-Library Loan. Once (and if) we receive the title, we’ll be in touch to figure how to best get it to you.

You might also want to take advantage of Libby or Overdrive. These are applications that allow you to borrow materials electronically from the State Library. Generally speaking, Libby is an app you download to your smartphone or tablet, and Overdrive is an older app that you download to your computer. Here’s a link to a YouTube video to watch to learn about Libby: youtube.com/watch?v=krjKUMktPMs.  It is important to know that your Libby or Overdrive library card number is: 4300 + your individual card number. If you’ve forgotten your card number or can’t find your card, let us know and we can look it up for you.

If there is something you would like us to purchase, we can order it, and we might receive it soon enough to get it to you within a few weeks, just let us know.

If you’d like to read something, but aren’t sure what, let us know what you like and we’ll do our best to select something for you.

If your child needs an internet connection to do distance learning, now that schools are closed, and you do not have wifi at home, please know that you can park in front of the WABL and get wifi.  Please do not use the library’s wifi to download copyrighted materials such as songs or films (ie bootlegging) as this will result in our wifi being shut down. The wifi outside the Bachelder Library is a little more reliable than the wifi outside the Andover Public Library.

We have just received notice from TDS that people living in Andover with school aged children, who do not have wifi, may request 60 days of free wifi from TDS. As stated in an e-mail received today: “Any family in need of internet service may call TDS at 888-225-5837. They should tell the operator that they heard about the free 60 days of service for families with school-aged children, and the operator will know what to do. TDS will arrange an appointment for a technician to install service and a modem at the family’s home. Current lead times are within one week, and it will probably be wise for families to call sooner rather than later.”

The Book Club will not meet this month, please keep your copy of A Woman of No Importance.  I have ordered next month’s selection, and will let you know when copies come in. We can work out curbside or home delivery for you. April’s read isThis Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. 

March Madness will be extended so that you can have more opportunities to earn raffle tickets.

Please e-mail us with any questions. Please check our webpage (andovernhlibrary.weebly.com) for more information.

Please stay safe and healthy.

All our best wishes,
Priscilla and Lee