Curbside Pickup FAQs

You may call the library at 412-257-8660 or visit our online calendar. 

The staff will do their best to schedule your pick-up appointment in a timely manner. 

Yes, you may pick up items for multiple cardholders with one appointment time. Please note, you must be able to verify permission to pick up items for another library card.

When you arrive, park in one of the designated curbside pick-up parking spaces and call the number on the sign to let a staff member know that you have arrived. Please provide staff with your name, spot # (listed on the sign) and a description of the car that you are in. Please remain in your vehicle with the windows closed.

Staff will place items in your trunk.

If you have mobility issues, please let the staff know this and we will arrange accommodations.

Schedule a pick-up appointment as outlined above. Please call the staff when you are ready to leave your home, giving an estimated time of arrival and description of the vehicle you will be in. Upon arrival, pull into one of the designated spots, and a staff member will deliver your items as soon as possible. In the event of a delay, you may also ring the doorbell to alert staff of your arrival.

If you have mobility issues, please let the staff know this and we will arrange accommodations.

Please place items in the book return. Do not attempt to hand them to a staff member during a curbside pick-up appointment. Please wait until staff members have re-entered the building before exiting your vehicle. Any items returned will be quarantined for a minimum of 96 hours and then checked in. For this period in time, hotspots may be placed in the book return. Book donations will not be accepted at this time. Please do not attempt to donate items using the book return.

At this time, please do not return the following in the book drop. Please wait for a return day or place in oversized bins in designated areas:

• Board games
• Puppets
• American Girl Dolls

To keep our staff and patrons safe, we immediately move items from the book return to quarantine. Items will remain in quarantine a minimum of 4 days. Items will be checked in by staff as time allows after the 4-day quarantine. If an item remains on your card for more than a week after you have returned it, please call: 412-257-8660. 

The library will not be charging overdue fines on items at this time.

Available Materials

• Books
• Audiobooks
• DVDs & Blu-rays
• Hotspots

Unavailable Materials

• American Girl Dolls
• Preschool Kits

Request materials by using the online catalog or by calling 412-257-8660. 

You will receive an email or phone notification based on the preference you have selected in your account. When you receive the message, you may call to schedule a pick-up appointment.

Yes, staff members can pull a few items in the genre that you’re interested in.  Call the library at 412-257-8660 and ask a staff member to pull a few items from your favorite genre for your pick-up appointment. Staff will deliver them to you already checked out on your card. While you will not be able to review them prior to check out, any unwanted items can be placed directly back in the book return.

All Allegheny County Libraries are following best practices to ensure materials are distributed safely. This includes quarantining returned items for 96 hours in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s recommendations. Only items that have been quarantined for 96 hours will be eligible for holds.

The CDC says that the virus can live on cardboard and paper for 24 hours. It can live on plastic for 2-3 days. Staff continue to follow best practices for sanitation before handling library materials. 

Please do not clean library materials as it will likely result in damage. If you are concerned, you may choose to let your materials sit in a safe, cool, dry location for up to three days before accessing them. 

We’re happy to help!  Please call us at 412-257-8660 during our Curbside Pickup hours or leave a message.  We will do our best to answer your questions as quickly and efficiently as we can.