Library Update

As you may already know, on March 23 the City of Mount Vernon decided to close many in-person services citywide, including the Library until further notice. While we believe library services are essential for many educational, social, and business development reasons, and limiting services is very difficult for us, we are doing our part to model best practices for social distancing, keeping staff and the public safe. 

At this time, we hope to reopen sometime in April, but due to the fluid and dynamic aspect of the current situation with COVID-19, that is subject to change. When we do re-open the building, we will likely slowly reintroduce services, starting with a holds only take out model and then upping service offerings from there.  
 
Please keep your library materials until we reopen as the book drops are closed. Due dates have been extended until May 1 and there will be no accruing fines. 

If you have any questions, please leave us a voicemail at (360) 336-6209 or send us an email and someone will be in contact with you. You can also still reach us by old school mail at 315 Snoqualmie St. Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Your Mount Vernon Digital Library

The library building may be closed, but we are still hard at work making sure items and services are available to you online. We know many people are turning to reading during these uncertain times and we are making sure that eBooks and eAudiobooks are readily available for our patrons.

If you have used Libby/Overdrive for online materials, you may have noticed we are part of what is called Washington Anytime Libraries which is a group that shares digital materials across the state. 

To ensure our patrons get access to materials quickly, we are currently spending more on our personal collection- meaning MVCL card holders have access to these titles faster.

Online Library Tips

Access Online or via App

The Libby/Overdrive and Hoopla apps can be downloaded for free wherever you get your apps, or they can be accessed through our website at http://mountvernonwa.gov/976/Read-Listen-Watch

Account & Pin Number

When signing in Hoopla or Libby/Overdrive, type in your full library card number without spaces. The default PIN is the last four digits of your primary phone number (e.g. If your phone number is 123-4567, the default PIN is 4567). Not working? Email us for help.

Return Titles Early in Libby/Overdrive

One of the great things about eBooks and eAudiobooks is that they automatically return themselves! This means no late fees, but it also means that if you finish the book early and forget to return it, the next person in line still has to wait to borrow it. 

We have all done it- either you forgot to return your eBook once you finished or you started listening to that audiobook and decided you are not interested in it. We also know what it is like to wait for what feels like forever to borrow that book that has been on the top of your reading list. It is good borrowing etiquette to return items as soon as you are done with them.

So how do you do that with an online item on Libby/Overdrive?

1. First, Go to your Shelf.

2. Then, next to the title you would like to return, click Manage Loan.

3. In the pop-up menu, select Return Early

4. It will ask you once more if you would like to return your item. Select the Return! button.

Now the next person can check out the item and you also have freed up another place in your check out limit.

Need Wi-Fi?

We know many of our patrons rely on our public Wi-Fi to stay connected. Although the library building is closed, the Wi-Fi can still be accessed during our usual business hours (Mon-Thurs 10am-8pm and Fri-Sat 10am-5pm).

You can get the best signal from the diagonal parking spots along 1st Street/Cleveland Ave.

We ask that if you are using our public Wi-Fi to please stay inside of a vehicle if possible and maintain appropriate social distancing from others.

Digital Library Cards

So you are staying home but you do not have a library card? You can register for a library card online today! Fill out the online form and we will get your started with a temporary library card to use for our digital library.

Are you living in Skagit County but do not qualify for a free library card? We are now offering a two month free trial for people who live in the county but not within a library district to help with the social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay Home- Stay Healthy- Stay Connected to the Library. 

*Must be 18 or older to register. Minors must have parent/guardian sign up to get a library card. 

2020 Census: Better Late Than Never - Live Zoom meeting on Friday, April 3rd 1 p.m. PST

For anyone who has not finished your 2020 census, the library will be giving live step by step instructions to anyone who needs help. We will help you overcome common problems such as not receiving your census card, form errors, and weird census glitches, so you too can complete your census and avoid a visit from census officials.

Join us live on zoom: https://zoom.us/j/871519656. No account is needed. 

COVID-19: Get Your Business Online - Live Zoom meeting on Monday, April 6 at 1 p.m. PST

In this brief 1 hour course, the library will guide you through setting up a website, business listing, and other essential tools so your clients can find you in this time of COVID-19. This course is intended for business with a limited web presence (such a company with only a Facebook page) who are looking to expand their reach and messaging. As a Grow with Google partner, the library will be focusing on FREE Google tools that your business can start utilizing today.

Join us live on zoom: https://zoom.us/j/823355959. No account is needed. 

Youth & Family Resources 

Check out our new youth and family page on our website with tons of resources, including education ideas, links to online storytimes, and activities for all ages.