No-Contact Library Materials Pickup at OPL
The Owatonna Public Library (OPL) building remains closed until further notice. OPL librarians have begun offering no-contact pickup for library materials on a limited basis. Staff were originally making appointments for pickup times. Effective immediately, staff will call you when your requests have arrived and pickups will be openly available (no appointments) on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from Noon-4:00 p.m.
How No-Contact Library Materials Pickup works:
- Place requests online via the Library Catalog, or call and leave a voicemail message at 507-444-2460.
- OPL staff will call to notify you when your requests are ready for pickup. You can stop by any time Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays between the hours of 12 noon - 4:00 p.m. Pick up your materials within 7 days of receiving your phone call.
- Park your vehicle (or bike) and come to the Broadway entrance of OPL during your assigned delivery time slot. Do Not Open the Door. OPL staff will use the automatic door opener to meet one person at a time at the door. Tell us your name, and we will place the bag of your requests on a table for you to pick up.
For your health & safety, and ours, please wear a face mask during pickup.
Outside Book Drop
The outside book drop has also re-opened. Return items only in the book drop; staff will not accept returns at the door. Library staff will quarantine returned materials for at least 24 hours before processing them. Due dates are extended until further notice and no fines will accrue while the building is closed.
Online Library Programming
Online Storytimes With Darla will continue via Facebook Live through May 21. Tune in at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. You can also join Darla as she reads the final chapters of the current One Book One Minnesota title, Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 12 and Thursday May 14.
Online Library Materials
OPL provides dozens of online resources to Steele County residents available with your library card, including eBooks and eAudiobooks through the Libby and Hoopla apps, music, TV shows, and movies through Hoopla, music downloads and streaming with Freegal, and a wide range of databases and directories including Value Line, Consumer Reports, HeritageQuest, and many more.
Get a Library Card
Steele County residents can register for access to Online Library Materials by filling out this form. Library staff will set up your new library account and send you your card number via email. Your physical library card will be available to pick up when the library reopens.
Summer Reading Program
OPL librarians are working out details for a No-Contact Summer Reading Program. Stay tuned!