Washington Ave. Opens & Other Branches Add Hours on June 1
Albany Public Library will open the Washington Ave. Branch and add hours at five branches starting Tuesday, June 1.
“We are pleased to be at a stage in the pandemic where it is safe and viable to open our largest location, the Washington Ave. Branch, for full in-person services,” said APL Executive Director Scott C. Jarzombek. “We’re excited to welcome patrons inside Washington Ave. to browse the collection, use computers, get librarian assistance, and for all of our other regular services.” This location closed on March 14, 2020, and resumed services with curbside pickup on March 15, 2021.
The other five open branches—Arbor Hill/West Hill, Bach, Delaware, Howe, and Pine Hills—will each add between six and eight more hours per week. Every branch, including Washington Ave., will provide morning and evening hours. And three locations—Arbor Hill/West Hill, Bach, and Delaware—are open on Saturdays. All branches remain closed on Sundays for the summer.
Appointments are still recommended to use computers and pick up materials curbside, but there are no limits on building capacity or length of visit in the branches. Masks are still required in library buildings.
“Starting June 1, we will be operating at 93% of our pre-pandemic capacity,” Jarzombek said. “We’ve been adding in-person services and hours at our branches since last July. The COVID-19 numbers, vaccination rates, and operational capacity are finally at a place where we are almost back to ‘normal’. We’re thrilled to provide our community with a more traditional library experience.”
The new hours, which start June 1, are as follows:
ARBOR HILL/WEST HILL BRANCH | 148 Henry Johnson Blvd.
Mon: 10 am-6 pm
Tue: 12-8 pm
Wed: 10 am-6 pm
Thu: 12-8 pm
Fri: 12-6 pm
Sat: 10 am-5 pm
BACH BRANCH | 455 New Scotland Ave.
Mon: 10 am-6 pm
Tue: 12-8 pm
Wed: 10 am-6 pm
Thu: 12-8 pm
Fri: 12-6 pm
Sat: 12-5 pm
DELAWARE BRANCH | 331 Delaware Ave.
Mon: 10 am-6 pm
Tue: 12-8 pm
Wed: 10 am-6 pm
Thu: 12-8 pm
Fri: 12-6 pm
Sat: 12-5 pm
HOWE BRANCH | 105 Schuyler St.
Mon: 12-8 pm
Tue: 10 am-6 pm
Wed: 12-8 pm
Thu: 10 am-6 pm
Fri: 12-6 pm
Sat: Closed
PINE HILLS BRANCH | 517 Western Ave.
Mon: 12-8 pm
Tue: 10 am-6 pm
Wed: 12-8 pm
Thu: 10 am-6 pm
Fri: 12-6 pm
Sat: Closed
WASHINGTON AVE. BRANCH | 161 Washington Ave.
Mon: 10 am-6 pm
Tue: 10 am-6 pm
Wed: 12-8 pm
Thu: 10 am-6 pm
Fri: 10 am-6 pm
Sat: Closed
The North Albany Branch remains closed for renovation. It is expected to open in early 2022.
Stephanie Simon
Stephanie Simon is manager of APL's Communication and Creative Services Department, which provides content and information for the library's website, social media, publications, videos, podcasts, and other outlets. Stephanie also manages APL's public relations and marketing efforts.