Exciting news!! Southern Branch is getting new carpet, giving it a fresh new look. But, to make this happen, the library will be temporarily closed. We will be closed the week of March 9 – 14, reopening Monday, March 16.
While you might have questions, don’t worry! The FAQ section below can help or you can give us a call at 410-326-5289. We can’t wait to show off the new look when we reopen March 16! So mark your calendars!
FAQ
To accommodate customers who cannot visit another branch during the closure, items may be returned to Southern Branch as soon as it reopens.
While the Southern Branch phones will be forwarded to a different line you may get quicker service by calling another one of our locations directly:
Calvert Library Prince Frederick – 410-535-0291
Fairview Branch – 410-257-2101
Twin Beaches Branch – 410-257-2411
To help us prepare we cannot accept donations after Monday, Feb 23, 2026. Read more about donating material before Feb 23 or after our return on 3/16.
All Calvert Library staff will continue to work during the closure. Most of our programs will be offered at different Calvert Library or community locations. Our staff will substitute at other branches and the bookmobile or telework.
Only items with their pick-up location changed before Thursday, March 5 will be able to be moved. Southern Breanch will not send materials out in delivery between 3/9 – 3/14. Pick-up locations can be changed on the library website or by calling your local branch. Pick-up locations cannot be changed in the app at this time. On the website: To change a pick-up location before the closure log in to “My Account” and choose Hold Requests from the menu. Check the box of the item you’d like to adjust or the check box to the left of the Title to select your full list. Then click Change Pickup Location. Select the New Pick-up Location from the drop-down menu and click Submit.
No, our public meeting spaces will be closed 3/9 – 14 for the carpet to be replaced there as well.
Storytime will take place off-site. You can see the full schedule here.
Our collection will not be available to borrow beginning 3/6. Because these items cannot be borrowed or used to fill item requests at other libraries, our collection will not be visible in the library catalog during this time. Items on the shelves can be borrowed again on 3/16. Staff will begin filling hold requests again on 3/16.
All of the carpet in the library will be replaced. The new carpet keeps our familiar color scheme and is carpet squares. A big advantage of carpet squares is that in the future if a section of carpet is damaged beyond repair then we can replace that section of carpet. In addition, the seams of carpet squares generally wear better than the seams of our current broadloom carpet.
- Calvert Library is fine free. No items checked out from the Southern Branch will be due during the closure.
- We are not able to accept returns during the closure. The book drop at Southern Branch will be locked.
- 21-day items: 21-day items checked out in the morning of 2/16 are not due until 3/16.
- 7 day items checked out on 3/2 will not be due until 3/16.
- Items CAN be returned to Southern Branch beginning with our reopening on 3/16.
- Why are due dates extended so long? To accommodate customers who cannot visit another branch during the closure, items may be returned to Southern Branch as soon as it reopens.
- Items may be returned at a different Tri-County library at any time.
Items available for pick up at Southern Branch and not picked up by 5pm on Saturday, March 7 can be:
- Picked up from the Bookmobile while it is offering special service hours at Southern Branch during the closure.
- Extended for pick up until Wednesday, March 18
- Change their pick-up location before Thursday, March 5
- Southern Branch will not send materials out in delivery between 3/9 – 14. Pick-up locations can be changed on the library website or by calling your local branch. Pick-up locations cannot be changed in the app at this time. On the website: To change a pick-up location before the closure log in to (link to my account) and choose Hold Requests from the menu. Check the box of the title you’d like to adjust or the check box to the left of the title to select your full list. Then click Change Pickup Location. Select the New Pick up Location from the drop-down menu and click Submit.
Not to worry! No items checked out from the Southern Branch will be due during the closure as we are not able to accept returns during the carpet installation. The book drop at Southern Branch will be locked until the library reopens on March 16. Materials may be returned to other branches or the bookmobile community stops. Plus, Calvert Library materials are always free of late fees.
The carpet work will begin on 3/9 and we will be closed to the public at that time.