South Florida libraries and bookstores close, change hours during coronavirus outbreak

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Novel coronavirus closures have hit theme parks, malls, beaches, restaurants and bars. Now, buying or borrowing a book becomes harder as libraries and bookstores close throughout South Florida.

In a message to holders of Miami-Dade County library cards, Director Ray Baker said: “While our physical locations will be closed for an undetermined length of time, our online library is open and available 24/7 through our website www.mdpls.org. We encourage you to access the many digital resources available with your library card, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, movies and music, plus online learning, training and tutoring and more.”

Here is a listing of the libraries that have closed or are closing temporarily due to the coronavirus:

Miami-Dade County

▪ The Miami-Dade County Public Library System announced Tuesday night its libraries would close during the coronavirus emergency. They stayed open Tuesday because many of them served as polling places. Go to www.mdpls.org for digital resources.

▪ All six Hialeah-run libraries will be closed until further notice. At least until the end of the month, staff will be available to answer questions by phone at 305-821-2700.

▪ Brockway Memorial Library, 10021 NE Second Ave. in Miami Shores, is closed until further notice.

▪ North Miami’s public library, 835 NE 132nd St., is closed for face-to-face services until further notice. Some services are available by phone at 305-891-5535 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

▪ North Miami Beach Library is closed until March 29. Reference assistance is available from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 305-948-2970.

Broward County

▪ Broward County Libraries also announced that all of its locations will be closed starting Friday until further notice. Getting an Instant eCard will offer immediate access to the libraries’ digital collections of online resources including eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, TV shows, classes and more. The library also has a Youth Resource Center, which includes the Axis 360 eBook collection for children and teens and other digital books.

▪ The Doreen Gauthier Lighthouse Point Library, 2200 NE 38th St., will be closed until further notice. All library programs are also canceled. Library materials may be reserved online or by phone from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at 954-946-6398.

▪ Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library, 1298 NE 37th St., will be closed until further notice.

▪ The Parkland Library, 6620 University Dr., will be closed until further notice. Library staff will fill hold requests made online with a library card. Those with library cards can call 954-757-4200 to reserve items. Books can still be returned.

▪ The Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library and the Plantation Historical Museum, 501 North Fig Tree Lane, is closed through the end of March. Book drops are always open.

▪ Richard C. Sullivan Public Library of Wilton Manors, 500 NE 26th St., is closed. Due dates for all items checked out have been extended to April 6, but can be deposited in the drop box behind the library.

Bookstores

▪ On Wednesday, Books & Books closed all of its stores and cafés. The bookstore is offering free shipping on any book purchase. The store will evaluate reopening on March 31.

▪ Barnes & Noble has changed its regular hours. Most stores will now be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Check your local bookstore.

Miami Herald Staff Writer Douglas Hanks contributed to this report.