Beginning June 1, Evanston Public Library will expand its hours and services, including increasing its capacity and allowing visitors to stay for a longer time, according to a Tuesday news release. 

The library can expand services now that Illinois is in the Bridge Phase between Phases 4 and 5, the release said. The library will extend public computer time to two hours per day and add more tables and chairs at both Main Library and Robert Crown Branch Library. EPL will also open study rooms at a capacity of one to two people. 

Main Library will open again on Sundays starting June 6, from 12 to 6 p.m. The Robert Crown Branch will open on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning June 3. The first hour open will be reserved for high-risk visitors. 

Visitors will still need to wear masks and observe social distancing in the libraries, per guidelines from the city’s Department of Health and Human Services. EPL will continue to hold library programs virtually and some outdoors. 

“Your health and the health of our staff are our main priority,” EPL Executive Director Karen Danczak Lyons said. “We will continue to monitor local conditions and take our lead from public health experts locally and nationally as we provide library services.”

Last year, EPL buildings temporarily closed to the public in response to COVID-19, but saw use of the 24/7 digital library increase by 55 percent from 2019, according to the library’s 2020 annual report. 

EPL implemented curbside pickup and reopened in July with new safety measures. Services inside the library began with access to WiFi, computers and printing, and then in August, EPL phased in a broader range of services, according to the report.

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