In March 2020, many public buildings were forced to shut down and stayed that way for months, including the Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library. Since then, the library has come up with many ways for those with library cards to enjoy their services, which even includes opening their doors for limited services to cardholders.

Online Teen Events:

The library has not let the shutdown stop their events for teens, with the library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) still hosting events via Zoom. There are two book clubs a month, one for tweens and teens, and one for just teens. The book clubs are also known to host authors, including Aileen Erin, Lisa Brown Roberts, and Alex Flinn. At their February 25^th meeting for The Last Musketeer: Double Cross, the author of the book, Stuart Gibbs, will be in virtual attendance.

Other virtual teen events include the TAB Game Nights. Games that have been played in the past during these events include “Among Us” and various Jackbox Party Packs.

Interested parties can sign up for the these activities by emailing [email protected]. An invitation to the activities one commits to will be sent by email the day of the event and will include the information to log onto Zoom.

Electronic Resources:

The library has subscriptions with many different online services. Library card holders can use the following apps to enjoy eBooks, movies, audiobooks, and many other digital forms of entertainment.

• Hoopla
• OverDrive
• Kanopy
• Flipster

In-Person Services:

As part of their reopening plan, the library is taking visitors via online appointment. With an appointment, cardholders can either browse the library or use a computer. Those with an appointment for browsing show up at the timeslot they are assigned and can look at a limited selection of the library’s collection of books and movies. Any other books a person may feel they want to read can be put on hold, and they will be checked out to that person when they arrive for browsing.

If one has an appointment to use the computers, they can come in at their allotted timeslot and use the library computers until their time runs out or until they are finished. All precautions and restrictions required by the library can be found on their website: https://www.hegganlibrary.org/. Appointments for both options can be made by calling the reference desk at 856-589-3334 at extension 222.

Curbside Pickup

The library is also offering curbside pickup. In order to pick up books, one must go to the Margaret E. Heggan Library’s website and search the catalogue. Any books that look interesting can be put on hold – unless they are from a library other than the Margaret E. Heggan. Unfortunately, inter-library loans are currently unavailable. Once a request for a book from Washington Township’s branch is placed, the library will contact the holder via telephone to make an appointment with them for pickup.