Masks are optional, but recommended, at the Barrington Area Library. The Library will continue to prioritize safety precautions during programs, including reduced capacity and physical distancing.
The Library is open all regular hours:
Monday - Friday: 9 AM to 9 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday: 1 to 5 PM
Meeting Room and Zimmerman Room now available to BALibrary cardholders - full and reduced capacities available
Reservations must be placed by a BALibrary cardholder. A variety of room capacities and set-ups are available, based on your group's safety preferences. Masks are optional, but recommended. Ready to place a reservation or check for available dates? Click here or use the "book a room" link at balibrary.org
Study Rooms, Business Cubicles, and First Floor Conference Room open to full capacity
Please note:
- BALibrary cardholders may reserve a room for a session from 15 to 120 minutes. Customers may make one reservation per day, with one renewal (for up to 120 minutes) if the room has not been requested by another customer.
- Reciprocal borrowers (who have registered another library card with BALibrary) may use a study room for one hour on a walk-in basis, and may renew the room for a second one hour time slot if it has not been reserved by a BALibrary cardholder.
- Rooms are cleaned on a regular basis, and new air filtration devices are in use.
- Book online now.
Pick-Up and Delivery options:
BALibrary cardholders may:
- pick up hold requests inside the Library or via Parking Lot Pick-Up, (until 7 PM weekdays. 5 PM weekends),
- have items delivered to our pick-up lockers,
- use Borrow By Mail service (free of charge),
- request a new Browsing Bundle of books or movies,
- use Interlibrary Loan service to request items from libraries across the United States.
Computers and Technology:
Customers may use:
- Laptops available for checkout at the Business and Tech Center desk;
- Wi-Fi;
- Simple Scan stations;
- Remote and in-house printing;
- Library Catalog/15 Minute Express Internet stations;
- Business & Tech center computers: customers may reserve in advance, walk-ins and guest passes also available;
- Some Youth Services computers;
- The MakerLab is open again to BALibrary customer appointments. Book yours by emailing digitalservices@balibrary.org
Submit 3-D print jobs and complete laser-cutting projects to our Digital Services team. - Studio One and Studio Kids are now available. Details.
Visit the computers/Internet and MakerLab pages for more details.
In order to provide the safest experience possible, some Library services and facilities will not be available during this phase. These include:
- Some Youth Services play areas and interactives - visit us in person to see which interactives are now available.
Visit our online Events Calendar and Youth Services blog for take-home activity kits and virtual programs. We are now offering in-person programs as well. - Youth Services iPads.