With the recent move to Phase Four of the Restore Illinois Plan, the Library is currently open.
Temporary Library Hours
- Monday – Thursday | 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Friday | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday | Closed until further notice
- Sunday | Beginning September 13 — 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. have been set aside for seniors and vulnerable populations.
Here is what you can expect upon your next visit to the Library:
- Adequate face coverings are required to enter the Library. Patrons under the age of two will be exempt from wearing a mask. If you do not have a protective face covering, please let our staff know at the Circulation Desk and a mask will be made available for 50 cents. Face masks/coverings must be worn properly over the nose, mouth, and chin.
- There is an occupancy limit of 50 patrons and patrons will be asked to limit their visit to a maximum of two hours each day.
- Social distancing floor decals are placed to remind patrons and staff to maintain the six-foot social distancing guidelines.
- Sneeze guards are in place at service desks.
- Staff will be moving throughout the building to clean surfaces, doorknobs, keyboards, etc.
- Public meeting room reservations and study room spaces are still unavailable during this time.
- All in-person structured in-house programming continues to be paused. Please check out our new Digital Program Guide, which covers the months of July and August, for a variety of online programming opportunities provided free of charge.
- Furniture has been rearranged and seating made limited to accommodate social distancing.
- Curbside pickup is still available for patrons and is the recommended way that patrons obtain library materials.
- There is very limited computer availability (six in Adult Services and four in Youth Services).
- All items returned to the Library are placed into quarantine for 7 days. All items will remain checked out on patron accounts while they are in quarantine. There will be no late fees charged during this time, but patrons are encouraged to return their materials in a timely manner to help facilitate circulation. Hotspots will still be subject to late fees.
- Newspapers are not available to browse. Please visit the Library’s website and browse our online resources for similar materials.
- Toys and other manipulatives will not be available in Youth Services.
The following services and features will be implemented during Phase 5 – Illinois Restored per the Restore Illinois Plan:
- Restore expanded library hours, including weekends
- Resume in-house programming
- Allow groups to book and use library meeting rooms
- Study rooms are available for individual use
- All furniture and seating is restored
- Print newspapers are available to browse
Click here to read a letter from Library Director David Sieffert regarding our digital services and our steps to a safe reopening.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Library is currently open, with limited hours, occupancy, and services. Please see our reopening plan above for details.
Curbside pickup is still available. Please visit benlib.org/curbside for more information about this service.
All in-person Library programming events are cancelled until further notice. We are proud to offer an increase in digital programming and events for all ages. Our digital programs will be hosted on a variety of free platforms such as Zoom, Facebook, Instagram, and Vimeo. Live interactive programming will be held via Zoom and will require registration via our online calendar or by phone. Browse all of our new offerings at: benlib.org/program-guide.
Yes! Our outdoor, curbside book drop is open.
At this time, delivery between libraries has resumed. However, your items may be delayed due to quarantining of materials. Please note that some holds may take longer than usual.
If you have any further questions about your holds or any of our circulation policies during this time, please contact the Circulation Desk at (630) 766-4642.
Curbside pickup is a safe, contactless way to continue to enjoy library materials at home.
- Check out books, audiobooks, magazines, DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, board games, a selection of YS book bundles, and WiFi hotspots!
- Printing, scanning, copying, and faxing services are also available for curbside pickup. Please call the Adult Services Desk at (630) 766-4642 for more information.
Curbside pickup is easy to use! Simply visit our website, benlib.org, and log into your account. Type in your search and request your hold — it’s that simple! You may also call the Library to request materials.
Material requests are pulled by staff throughout the day, checked out on your account, and bagged for pickup. If your item is available, you should receive notice within 24-48 hours.
For more information on our curbside pickup service, visit benlib.org/curbside or call (630) 766-4642.
All items have been quarantined for at least 72 hours prior to being checked out to you. Please do not use liquid disinfects on library materials. Time is the best disinfectant! If you prefer to quarantine your items once you get them home, health officials recommend a quarantine period of at least 72 hours.
Yes. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we still encourage the public not to attend this public forum, but rather submit questions or comments via our website at: benlib.org/submit. All questions and comments will be read during Hearing of Delegations and will be captured in the minutes. To view upcoming board agendas, please visit: benlib.org/board-agenda.
No. At this time, we are not accepting material donations. Please hold materials until an announcement is made that we are accepting donations. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
We have a wealth of digital resources available for free 24/7 with a Library card. Visit benlib.org/download to learn more.
Looking for online databases? Visit: swanlibraries.net/lib/bvd
Ancestry: Library Edition home access has also been extended to September 20, 2020.
Need a library card? You can now register for an online-only library card that will grant you access to our eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming services, and more. Click here to sign up now, or read more here. Online cards expire after 90 days if not converted to a full-use card. Call the Circulation Desk at (630) 766-4642 for more information.
Yes! You can now register for an online-only library card! This digital library card will grant you access to our eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming services, and more. Click here to sign up now, or read more here. Online cards expire after 90 days if not converted to a full-use card. Call the Circulation Desk at (630) 766-4642 for more information.
To access all Library service updates regarding COVID-19, please visit benlib.org/covid-19. We also frequently post library updates on social media and through our eNewsletter, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and subscribe to our eNews.
Still have questions? Call us at (630) 766-4642, fill out our Contact Us form, or email us at reference@benlib.org.
We encourage you to do your part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please follow these preventive steps, as recommended by the CDC to stop the spread of illness:
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Wear a cloth face covering while in public settings.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces you touch.
Finally, please use trusted, reliable, authoritative sources as you seek out news and information about COVID-19, such as the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the DuPage County Health Department.
We continue to monitor this situation and plan to share updates as any new information becomes available. We remain in close communication with local taxing bodies to determine the best course of action as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you have any questions, please contact Library Director David Sieffert at (630) 766-4642 or at dsieffert@benlib.org