This message updated October 7.
Eugene Public Library is providing services in all ways possible, and expanding step by step, with safety as our top priority. You can reach us by phone at 541-682-5450 from Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm, plus until 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Or contact us by email or live chat. We’re here to help!
We’re analyzing each service to determine when and how we can safely re-start it, following official guidelines to protect everyone’s health. Which means some familiar activities are being conducted in redesigned ways. Currently, library buildings are open for limited use to allow access to high-priority services, with a focus on meeting the needs of community members without online access. Some other indoor services remain unavailable for now, such as browsing the shelves or staying at the library to sit and read.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we continue to adapt to changing circumstances together. For ongoing updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and sign up for our email newsletter.
En español: Actualización: servicios que la biblioteca ofrece hoy en día
Quick links to information on this page:
Contact us
Getting a library card
Renewing a library card
Online services
Visiting in person
Borrowing physical items
Returning items
Indoor computers, wifi, and charging
Events and activities
Hours and locations
COVID-19 information
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CONTACT US
Phone: 541-682-5450
Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm
Plus: Wednesday and Thursday until 8pm
Email
Live chat 24/7
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GETTING A LIBRARY CARD
To sign up for a library card, or for questions about how policies apply to you, please call us at 541-682-5450.
Residents of the City of Eugene
Call to sign up for a free library card. This will allow you to begin using online resources and placing hold requests immediately. To borrow physical items, including holds, the first time you come to the library you will need to show staff your current Oregon driver license or State of Oregon ID (for alternate forms of photo ID and proof of address, see this list).
Non-residents
People who live in the Eugene area but outside City limits can call to sign up and pay for a library card for $11 per month. One "non-resident" fee covers all cards in the household.
New: all students enrolled in the Eugene 4J and Bethel School Districts can now get a free library card, whether you live inside or outside of City limits. Use the form mailed to you by your school district.
You can also sign up for a library card in person at any library location. Because only a limited number of people are allowed inside the building at the same time, that may require waiting in line outside. It will be faster and easier to sign up by phone.
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RENEWING A LIBRARY CARD
If your library card expiration date is coming up:
Residents of the City of Eugene
You do not need to take any action right now. We will renew your card automatically. You can continue to use your card to access online items and other resources, and to place hold requests.
The next time you visit the library in person, you will need to confirm renewal of your card in order to borrow items, including holds. At that time, you will need to show us your library card and your current Oregon driver’s license or Oregon ID (for alternate forms of photo ID and proof of address, see this list).
Non-residents
If you live outside City of Eugene limits, your card is a "non-resident" library card. To continue to access online items and other resources after the expiration date, you need to pay the non-resident household fee of $11 per month. You can pay with a credit card by phone: 541-682-5450. You do not need to visit the library unless you want to borrow physical items.
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ONLINE SERVICES
Online items including ebooks, audiobooks, streaming movies and shows, music, and magazines for all ages are available free with a library card. Start here.
Our website also offers online services including Lynda.com tutorials, Ancestry.com, Consumer Reports, Mango Languages lessons, and BrainFuse live tutors free with a library card. Start here.
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VISITING IN PERSON
When visiting any library location, wear a face covering and take care to stay six feet apart from others. If you or anyone in your household is not feeling well, please do not visit the library in person.
Because only a limited number of people may be inside at the same time, some services require appointments or may require waiting in line outside. Please complete your library business as quickly as comfortable. If possible, please send only one person from your household (for example, one person can pick up everyone’s hold requests by bringing everyone's library cards).
Computers and other surfaces are being cleaned between users. All physical items are quarantined for 72 hours between borrowers. Many typical library activities such as browsing the shelves or sitting down to read are not currently available.
Some services require a library card. If you have a library card, please bring it with you.
The parking garage under the Downtown Library is open:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10am-6pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-8pm
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BORROWING PHYSICAL ITEMS
We are currently lending physical items including print books and magazines, DVDs, CDs, and videogames. All physical items are quarantined for 72 hours between borrowers.
A full-service library card is required to borrow physical items (not an “online-only” card). When you come to the library, bring your library card with you, wear a face covering, and stay six feet apart from others. Please see more information about visiting the library in person.
Holds: Curbside pick-up
Curbside pick-up of held items is available by appointment at the Downtown Library. Place your requests online or by phone. Wait to receive a notice that your item is ready, then follow the instructions in the notice to make an appointment.
Curbside pick-up is available only at the Downtown Library. If you usually use Bethel or Sheldon, but would prefer curbside pick-up, we can transfer your items Downtown. You can also set your account so future items will automatically be held Downtown.
If you no longer want a requested item, please cancel it online or let us know. During this time, we are not charging re-shelving fines.
Holds: Self-service pick-up
Self-service pick-up of held items is available indoors at Bethel and Sheldon branches, Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm. Place your requests online or by phone. Wait to receive a notice that your item is ready.
Self-service pick-up is available only at Bethel and Sheldon branches. If you usually use the Downtown Library, but would prefer self-service pick-up, we can transfer your items to Bethel or Sheldon. You can also set your account so future items will automatically be held at Bethel or Sheldon.
If you no longer want a requested item, please cancel it online or let us know. During this time, we are not charging re-shelving fines.
Counter service
Counter service is available indoors at the Downtown Library as another option for borrowing physical items, particularly if you don’t have easy access to place hold requests or make appointments.
Drop by the Downtown Library on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday from 10am to 6pm; or on Wednesday or Thursday from 12pm to 8pm.
You will meet with a staff member inside the building to request particular titles or get recommendations based on your interests or needs. We will gather your chosen items and deliver them to you in a designated waiting area. Then you can check out the items at the usual self-service stations.
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RETURNING ITEMS
Outdoor book return hours
Downtown Library: Monday through Saturday, 7am-7pm
Bethel and Sheldon: Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm
Due dates
To check the due date for a particular item, view your online account or contact us.
Fines
Our library does not charge late fines for children’s and teen items. Given current circumstances, if you are at all concerned about fines, please contact us so we can assist you.
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INDOOR COMPUTERS, WIFI, AND CHARGING
Internet computers (including adaptive technology computers), and wifi and device charging stations, are available inside all library locations for one-hour appointments. These services are free and no library card is needed. Printing is free up to 20 pages.
Appointments can be made for the same day or the next day. One appointment per person per day.
Reserve an appointment by phone, in person at any location, or online.
Hours for using indoor computers, and wifi and charging stations, and for meeting with staff to make an appointment in person, are:
Downtown Library:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10am-6pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-8pm
Bethel and Sheldon:
Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm
Face coverings are required. Please see more information about visiting the library in person.
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EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
We are hosting a variety of activities for all ages, online and in the community, including book groups, escape rooms, and more. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for ongoing news.
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HOURS AND LOCATIONS
Phone
541-682-5450
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10am-6pm
Wednesday and Thursday: 10am-8pm
Holds pick up
Downtown Library: wait to receive a notice, then follow instructions to make a curbside appointment
Bethel and Sheldon: wait to receive a notice, then visit for indoor self-service pick-up Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm
Outdoor book return hours
Downtown Library: Monday through Saturday, 7am-7pm
Bethel and Sheldon: Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm
Indoor computers, wifi, and charging stations
Make a reservation for the same or next day by phone, online, or in person.
Downtown Library:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10am-6pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-8pm
Bethel and Sheldon:
Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm
Same-day borrowing: staff-assisted counter service
Downtown Library only:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10am-6pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-8pm
In-person assistance with your library card account
If possible, please call first to see if we can help you by phone: 541-682-5450.
Downtown Library:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10am-6pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-8pm
Bethel and Sheldon:
Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm
Parking garage under the Downtown Library:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10am-6pm
Wednesday and Thursday, 12pm-8pm
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COVID-19 INFORMATION
For information about the City of Eugene COVID-19 response and plans, visit www.eugene-or.gov/coronavirus.
For information about COVID-19, visit Lane County Public Health’s website: www.lanecountyor.gov/coronavirus.
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