Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Library operations. We will continue to post updates on our website and social media channels regarding the resumption of Library services.
Always check your branch's location page before heading to the Library.
Please note: Cedar Roe branch will be closed for renovations April 19 through June 20 and Central Resource Library has limited services during the Central Building Upgrade. Check the Cedar Roe and Central Resource location pages for details.
General Questions
In order to access our whole collection, you’ll need to visit a library branch and present your ID, address verification, and a completed application. This cannot be done at our drive-thru windows, as the demand for drive-thru holds pickup is high and interactions must be kept brief, otherwise traffic can quickly build up around our buildings.
If you’d like to sign up for an eCard for access to our eLibrary, visit ecard.jocolibrary.org to get started. To register, you need:
- to be a Johnson County resident
- to be 16 years old or have a parent or guardian available
- an email address
An eCard gives you access to thousands of items and resources in our eLibrary. To check out physical materials, you’ll need to get a traditional card at any of our branches. Traditional card applications must be done in person as they require your ID, address verification, and a completed application. This cannot be done at our drive-thru windows at this time; the demand for drive-thru holds pickup is high and interactions must be kept brief, otherwise traffic can quickly build up around our buildings.
We offer contactless Curbside Holds Pickup at our Cedar Roe, Gardner, Leawood Pioneer, Oak Park and Spring Hill branches. Hours for Curbside Holds Pickup mirror branch hours of operation, but the service will close 15 minutes before the close of each branch. Curbside service may also not be available in extreme weather conditions.
To use the service, place an item on hold at one of those five branches. When your item(s) are ready for pickup, park in one of the designated Holds Pickup parking stalls, text the word HOLD to the number on the sign and follow the prompts.
At this time text message is the only way to utilize Curbside Holds Pickup service. If you are unable to send or receive text messages, please use one of our three drive-thru windows at Blue Valley, Lenexa City Center and Monticello Libraries for contactless holds pickup.
Safety
The Library follows State and local health and safety guidelines. Masks or cloth face coverings are strongly recommended to be worn inside all Johnson County Library branches unless you are fully vaccinated.
Yes, we have a stock of single-use masks that are available to our patrons as supplies allow. We have provided washable cloth masks to all our staff and volunteers.
There is no reliable way to comprehensively sanitize books and other materials, so we advise patrons to thoroughly wash their hands after visiting the Library and handling our materials. We will have hand sanitizer and restrooms available in our branches.
Current research suggests that COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). The Centers for Disease Control reports that while it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, this isn’t thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
If you are concerned about using recently checked out materials, we recommend putting the item on hold and waiting a few days after it arrives on the holds shelf to pick it up.
No. Cleaning library materials at home may damage them, especially popular treatments like bleach or heat.
In addition to strongly recommending the use of face masks for unvaccinated patrons, the Library will follow safety, hygiene, cleaning and physical distancing protocols recommended by Johnson County Department of Health and Environment and the Centers for Disease Control. The following practices have been adopted all at branches:
- Wipes and hand sanitizer available for patron and staff use.
- Signage posted to encourage proper physical distancing and hygiene practices.
- Plexiglass shields between staff and patrons at service points.
- Hand dryers in restrooms have been replaced with paper towel dispensers.
- Buildings are thoroughly cleaned daily and high traffic areas are disinfected regularly throughout the day.
- Recent improvements include the installation of MERV 13 filters in in most buildings.
Quarantining of returned items concluded April 16. Current research suggests that COVID-19 spreads mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). The Centers for Disease Control reports that while it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, this isn’t thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
If you are concerned about using recently checked out materials, we recommend putting the item on hold and waiting a few days for pickup. Requested items remain on the holds shelves for seven days.
Library Services
While customer service is a high priority for the Library, staff are only able to provide limited assistance at this time in accordance with physical distancing protocols. Please bring your library card or card number with you for checkout. Services offered at all branches, except Central Resource Library and Cedar Roe Library are:
- Item returns
- Holds pick up
- Browsing the collection
- Check out materials via self-check
- Public computers
- Self-service printing
- Interlibrary Loan
- New Library card applications
- HomeConnect
- Meeting, conference and study room access
- Seating
- Magazines and newspapers
- Lending laptops at Lenexa City Center Library
At this time we will not be offering:
- In-person programs and events
- In-person genealogy services
- In-person equipment usage at the Black & Veatch MakerSpace
- Children’s toys
Our eLibrarian recommends the below services as a starting point for your eLibrary toolkit:
- Entertainment: Kanopy, eMagazines
- News local/regional/national: Shawnee Mission Post, Kansas City Star, The New York Times
- Education/skill-building: Brainfuse HelpNow, LearningExpress Library, Rosetta Stone
- Business updates: Mergent Intellect, S&P Global NetAdvantage, Wall Street Journal
- Health & Wellness classes: Universal Class
All summer programming will be online, including our Summer Reading Program. Please continue to check our social media sites and subscribe to our eNewsletter, The Open Book, for the latest event updates.
The Friends Bookstores at Antioch and Blue Valley Libraries are open 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Mondays and noon to 7:30 pm Thursdays. Visit the Friends website to take advantage of the Friends' online sales.
The Friends do not currently accept book donations at the branches. If you have donations, please call the sorting center at 913-492-4791 or visit the Friends of the Library donation webpage.
Returns & Fines
Yes. You may return materials checked out from any branch, including Olathe Public Library, to all 14 Johnson County Library branches. Please note Central’s exterior materials return bin is closed during renovations and materials must be returned inside the building during regular business hours.
You will not be charged overdue fees for items placed in the materials return bin before their due date.
No, all materials must be returned in a materials return bin at one of our branches across Johnson County. Please note Central’s exterior materials return bin is closed during renovations and materials must be returned inside the building during regular business hours. Staff will not accept materials of any kind at the drive-thru window or via curbside service, including donations.
COVID-19 Information
Please visit jocogov.org/coronavirus for daily updates about the virus's impact on Johnson County, as well as guidance and recommendations from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other trusted resources. You can also sign up for email updates via the page.
In addition, you can call the Johnson County Community COVID-19 Hotline at 913-715-CV19 (2819).
Please note you should isolate yourself and contact your physician, not the hotline, if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, including high fever, sore throat and a dry cough.