The Free Library of Philadelphia is still not ready to welcome patrons into its buildings for regular visits. But here’s some good news. This week, some Free Library locations have begun offering limited services including returns, material pickups, and phone reference. In West Philadelphia, the following locations are now open for limited service:

• Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library (52nd and Sansom)

• Haverford Library (5543 Haverford Avenue)

• Walnut Street West Library (40th and Walnut) 

Please visit the Library’s new Limited Services page to see what’s available at your neighborhood library. This page is updated daily. Patrons can now place new holds with the Free Library. Sign in to freelibrary.org with your library card number and PIN to place a hold online, or call your neighborhood library to place a hold over the phone. Once your materials are ready, the Library staff will contact you to schedule a pickup appointment.

Also, check out the Free Library’s newest remote resource: a Free Library call center. Patrons can call five days a week to speak with the Library’s expert staff, who will provide information, technology help, updates, and more. Calling is free. You can give them a call at 1-833-TALK FLP (1-833-825-5357) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10:00 a.m.–3 p.m., and Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

Many Free Library programs continue to proceed virtually, and patrons can also access digital resources, such as ebooks, audiobooks, movies, TV, music, over 100 databases, and the New York Times online, with their library card. Go here for more information.