The library board and staff would like to wish all of our patrons a safe, blessed and happy Thanksgiving week.

The library will close 3 p.m. Nov. 25 and remain closed Nov. 26.

The library is scheduled to open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 27 and will offer curbside pickup only Nov. 28.

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The library’s annual basket raffle will be a little different this year. There will be three smaller raffles with different baskets each month.

The winter basket raffles will continue until Nov. 20, Dec. 7-18 and Jan. 11-22, 2021.

Each raffle will start on a Monday and end on the Friday of the next week. Winners will be drawn the next day. If you win, you’ll have a week to pick up your basket.

If you buy a sheet of tickets, you can use as many of the tickets as you want that month and hold onto the rest of your tickets for other months. You can also buy extra sheets in later months.

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The library will accept Toys for Tots donations until Dec. 15.

Please donate new, unopened toys. Toys for Tots will not distribute any gifts that look like realistic weapons or anything that contains food.

If you wish to donate cash, see the website, toysfortots.org, for more information.

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We have a lot of patrons and students working and studying from home. You will need a purple LCLC card to use our free databases.

Apply online for a library card by going to our website and clicking My Account to request a library card.

Your library card information will be emailed to you, so you can start using your card online immediately. You can pick up the physical card next time you visit the library.

We have 32 online databases that cover all subjects from ABC MOUSE to PA POWER library, and all may be found on our website, whitehallpl.org.

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You will also find storytimes and craft ideas for kids on the website, whitehallpl.org/kids. The activities are available to download and do at home.

We will be adding more storytimes each month and hope to add some teen and adult programs.

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All library items must be returned into the yellow book drops in the library parking lot.

We empty the drop boxes a few times each day, but all items are placed in quarantine for a week before we can check them in.

Fines are waived until Dec. 31; however, fines will be charged on items that were due before March 12.

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The library’s current hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays will be curbside pickup only. The library is closed to patrons that day.

The library is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Office of Commonwealth Libraries guidelines to protect our staff and patrons during this pandemic.

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We are sorry for any inconvenience, and we thank you for your support. We are doing our part to keep the staff and patrons healthy.

If you have questions or need help with a database, I can help. I check my emails daily at vahey.p@whitehallpl.org.