COVID-19 has disrupted our everyday lives in various ways. With health concerns increasing around the country due to the outbreak, we have adapted a few of our services to help protect our patrons while at the same time allowing them to still access the materials and information they require.

The Neuse Regional Libraries are currently providing curbside checkout service to all of our current library patrons. To check out an item just place your item on hold online, or call reference staff at 252- 527-7066, Ext. 134 for assistance. (10 item limit, 3 DVD limit at no charge).

Once your items are available for pick up we’ll give you a call to let you know. When you arrive just park next to the book drop and give us a call and we will bring your items out to you. Curbside service is available Monday -Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offered at the Kinston-Lenoir County, Greene County, La Grange, Pink Hill, Pollocksville and Trenton Public Libraries.

For those that have recently taken up genealogical research but have had difficulties finding reliable resources accessible from home, you will be pleased to know that throughout the month of April, patrons will be able to access Ancestry.com from the comfort of their own homes.

Typically users must be on the Library’s computers or wireless network to use this resource, but this month Ancestry is offering special at-home access. Just visit the library’s website at neuselibrary. org and click the Ancestry Library Edition link located under the databases tab.

Once signed in with your library card, you will have access to information such as birth, marriage and death certificates as well as census records dating back as far as the early 1800’s.

The Library is also offering virtual programming that can be accessed through the Library’s Facebook page. These programs are presented live and allow patrons to still attend brief library programs virtually without having to leave the house.

At 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day the Library is offering Storytimes from our children’s room staff to children. At 11 a.m. each day various staff members are presenting adult programs, including crafts and brief instructional programming. At 4 p.m. each day staff members will be offering book talks on some of their favorite books.

To watch this programming, follow the Neuse Regional Library page on Facebook.

We are also hosting a virtual book club for teens using Zoom, the popular new online communication software. Participants will read Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. There are both eBook and eAudio copies available through Overdrive and the Libby App as well as a physical copy available for pickup from the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library. Participants will have two weeks to read the book and we will meet via Zoom on April 22 at 2:00 p.m.

The Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library will be available to answer any questions by phone Monday -Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 252-527-7066 Ext. 134 for more information.