Fontana Regional Libraries are fully open; no appointments necessary

All Fontana Regional Library locations in Macon, Jackson, and Swain Counties are now open for walk-in browsing without an appointment. This includes the Hudson Library in Highlands and the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library.

Because of high demand and limited capacity, some special sections may still require a reservation, such as the Hudson Library’s Children’s Room and Study Room in Highlands. These reservations can be made in advance or on a walk-in/as-available basis.

Visitors who come into the library will find that things look more like they did before the pandemic, even as masks are still required for everyone ages 3 and up, and additional cleaning measures are in place.

Following CDC and NCDHHS recommendations, there will no longer be a quarantine of returned library items, and some of the upholstered chairs and furniture will again be usable, as social distancing allows.

Curbside pickup will continue as an option at all library locations.

A new service that is now available is wireless printing. Anyone can now send a print job to a library printer from anywhere using any device, and then come to the library to pick up and pay for their printout.

Print jobs are stored for up to 72 hours, so a user needs to visit a Library Print Release Station to release/retrieve and pay for the print job before it is automatically deleted. This maintains privacy, as only the sender can release the job when they come to the Library.

This project has been several years in the making, and Fontana Regional Library is grateful to have received the funding to accomplish it through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

For more information about the Hudson Library in Highlands at 828.526.3031 or click HERE.

Walk-ins at The Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library no longer need an appointment. Some areas and programs may still require registration or a reservation.

Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library

Staff at The Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library have been working diligently to put together a fun and enlightening summer of events. 

But first, the official update on operations…

As pandemic regulations are changing at the state and national level, Fontana Regional Library has also adjusted its policies to reflect that wearing a mask is strongly recommended, but not mandatory, said Cashiers Branch Librarian Serenity Richards.

“We encourage everyone coming into our buildings to wear a mask as a way to protect themselves and others,” she said.

Summer Learning Programs for children planned for this summer may include some restrictions and reservations are strongly recommended.

Because children are unable to be vaccinated at this time, they are encouraged to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. Parents are urged to do what they feel is best to protect their children.

To make a reservation for any programs at the Cashiers Library call at 828.743.0215.

Be sure to check the library’s calendar HERE for the most up to date offerings.

For more information on The Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library’s programs click HERE.

Leave a Reply