Big Pine Key branch is closed temporarily for renewal
The Big Pine Key branch is closed for repairs and refurbishment, with plans to reopen soon.
The library will get new floors, paint, shelving, and furnishings. The work was scheduled between Easter and the start of summer break to have the least impact on the community.
“We regret that we have to close the branch temporarily; however, once completed, the community will have a beautiful and updated facility,” said Kimberly Matthews, Monroe County Public Library director.
The Monroe County permitting office that was operating from the library branch will also close and will reopen next to the UPS Store and new senior center, with a tentative May timeframe. Until the new permitting office is open, offices are available in Marathon or Stock Island, or visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/permitting for online permitting.
All Monroe County Public Library patrons can use any branch, including those in Marathon and Key West, as well as the Lending Machine and pick-up locker at Bernstein Park on Stock Island. In addition, cardholders can get eBooks, eAudiobooks, and streaming films via the library website at any time.
Materials checked out from the Big Pine branch will have the due dates moved to after the library reopens — and the Monroe County Public Library does not charge overdue fines. Book drops are open at all other branches for those leaving for the season who want to return library materials. Patrons can also return materials at the Lending Machine at Bernstein Park on Stock Island. Books and DVDs from the Big Pine Key branch will not be available for request until the branch reopens.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to spruce up our library,” said Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln, whose district office is in the same complex as the Big Pine Key branch. “This will greatly benefit everyone who likes to come in there, whether it’s children and families or our seniors.”
For updates on the reopening, follow the Big Pine Key Public Library Branch on Facebook.
FAQ:
I usually get my books, audiobooks and DVDs at the Big Pine Key Library. How can I get them while the Library is closed?
- You can get eBooks and eAudiobooks via Overdrive or the Libby app on the device of your choosing. Your username is your library card number; the PIN is typically the last four digits of the phone number provided on your library account. You can also stream up to 10 movies a month – and have unlimited plays of kids’ content – from Kanopy, logging in with your library card number and PIN.
- You can check out books and DVDs from any branch of the Monroe County Public Library, including Marathon, Key West and the Lending Machine at Bernstein Park on Stock Island (which is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week). You can also request items to be held for you at those libraries or at the pickup lockers at the Marathon Library (accessible 24/7) or at Bernstein Park (open during park hours).
How can I return materials while the Big Pine Library is closed?
- You don’t have to! We don’t charge overdue fines and anything checked out from the Big Pine branch isn’t due until after we re-open.
- If you’re leaving town or just really want to return an item, you can bring it to any of the other branches or their book drops, including Marathon and Key West. You can also return items at the Lending Machine at Bernstein Park on Stock Island – it’s open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day including weekends. You need to have your library card to return items at the Lending Machine.
What about library programs?
- They will resume when the library re-opens. Keep an eye on our Facebook page or the Big Pine events page of the library website. Anyone is also welcome to attend events at any branch.
Still have questions?
- Email us at info@keyslibraries.org. If you want to talk to someone about how to request items for pickup elsewhere, or how to download eBooks and eAudiobooks, call any branch or click on the Ask A Librarian button on the bottom right hand side of the screen.