Important Notice

Seward Memorial Library is now open by appointment only. Please contact library staff for a time slot and the current requirements as these may change often.

The library is on summer hours through August 14:

• Monday – Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday 8:00 a.m. – noon
• Sunday CLOSED

Please remember all the ways we can serve you remotely! Consider reserving items online or calling ahead for pickup at our drive up window. Internet access is available near our building. Weekly story times and monthly book groups meet online. Our Overdrive service has many e-books and audio books to download, and as of June 1 we have re-activated our subscription to RBdigital to provide you with even more online resources, including many popular magazines! Let staff know if you need assistance setting up online access to our resources. We can be contacted by calling 402-643-3318, texting us at 402-260-2202, or emailing info@sewardlibrary.org. Thanks for allowing us to continue to serve you in this uncertain time!

A Note From the Director

Seward Memorial Library staff remains committed to getting library materials to our patrons. We also want everyone, patrons and staff, to stay healthy during this time and are doing our best to help that happen.

Our drive-up window has been well used since we closed to the public in mid-March and we encourage all who need library materials to continue to use this. In addition, we have read that the COVID-19 virus may live on books for up to three days. To protect both patrons and staff, we have implemented a "book quarantine" system for items that have been returned. They will be handled as little as possible until after three days. Our library software company has created many “quarantine” features, one of which allows us to check in your returns while keeping the items unavailable to others until they are out of quarantine. So, returned items will no longer remain on your account but they will not immediately display as being available on the catalog.

On March 1 we implemented an auto-renewal system (for all items that CAN be renewed) as well as no fines on many items. This doesn’t mean you can keep items forever. Examples of what might not be auto-renewed include: some specialty items, an item on reserve for another patron, or an item you renewed twice already. You should receive automatic notices about the status of all your items.

We have also added a TEMPORARY 10 day "grace" period for most things to keep fines from accruing on anything that might slip through the cracks. If you have any trouble with your individual account because of the changes we’ve implemented, call staff at 402-643-3318 or email info@sewardlibrary.org and we will work with you to the best of our ability.

We realize that everyone wants to know when the library will return to normal operations. We want to know that, too! Unfortunately, we can’t predict the future. Staff continues to turn to state, regional, and local authorities for guidance, applying their rules and limitations to our situation. Then we will adjust our situation to best serve our patrons. Thanks so much for understanding!

Library Resources