FAQs During Covid-19

We are open with limited services (as of June 15, 2020). The Fishers and Noblesville libraries will offer the same limited services and hours of operation. Curbside pickup service will continue for those at-risk; however, an appointment for pick up must be scheduled.

We have new library hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 10:00 am. – 7:00 pm.
• Friday-Saturday: 10:00 am. – 5:00 pm.
• Sunday: Closed

For those who are able, we ask that you park and come in to our buildings to checkout materials, and pick up your holds—no appointment is necessary. For now, our buildings will be closed on Sundays.

For our at-risk and vulnerable patrons, we offer contact-free curbside holds pickup by appointment. Once you place a hold and receive an email or text notification that your holds are ready for pickup, you will need to access the library’s website to schedule a curbside appointment here.

Wait to receive notification that your hold is ready before scheduling your pickup.  Same day appointments and pickups are not available. Schedule your pick up at least one day in advance.

Scheduling Your Curbside Pickup

1. Wait for an email, text, or phone call notice that your hold is available for pickup.
2. Access the library’s website by clicking here to schedule a curbside pickup appointment at least one day in advance, but before your hold expires.
3. Follow the steps in the scheduler tool and select your preferred day and time. You will be asked for details including your library card and pin, as well as vehicle information. The system will remember your details, so you won’t need to enter on your next appointment! Once your reservation is complete, you will receive a confirmation email.
4. Any questions about the online scheduler can be directed to 317-773-1384 (Noblesville) or 317-579-0300 (Fishers). You may also call us if you prefer to schedule over the phone.

Picking up your holds:

When you arrive at the library for your contact-free appointment, follow the signs to the reserved curbside parking spots and follow the instructions located there. Stay in your car.

Helpful Scheduling Hints:

• Make sure to book a pickup at least one day in advance.  Same day pickups are not available.
• The library cannot adjust the pickup time slots, so if your preferred pickup time/date is not available, please select another time and/or day.
• Complete the online form by adding pickup details such as vehicle information, item placement, and email address.  If you do not have an email address, please enter fake@fake.com.  Note: We strongly encourage you to include a valid email address as this is how we will contact you to confirm your curbside appointment.
• After you have completed the online form, you should receive an appointment confirmation (provided you have included a valid email address).
• If you wish to manage an existing pickup after you have made a curbside appointment, you may do this prior to the appointment day.  The “Manage an Existing Pickup” option allows you to cancel the appointment (not the actual item hold). Same day appointment cancelations cannot be made.
• If you have holds awaiting pickup at both library locations, separate appointments need to be made for each pickup location.
• If the hold is not at the library where you prefer to pick up items, please contact the library to modify your hold pickup location.
• If you no longer need the requested material and you wish to cancel your hold, you may do this by accessing “My Account” on the library’s website or through the HEPL app.  Or, you may call the library.
• For questions or assistance to book a curbside holds pickup appointment, contact the library at 317-773-1384 (Noblesville) or 317-579-0300 (Fishers) during regular hours.

Patrons can come inside our libraries to browse and pickup library materials. Other services available at this time include: printing, mobile (wireless) printing, public computers, Curbside Holds Pickup for At-Risk Patrons, WIFI extended into our libraries’ parking lots, copiers, digital media lab (Noblesville) by appointment, Indiana Room (Noblesville) and Ignite Studio (Fishers) by appointment.

For now, toys, games, interactives, meeting rooms, study rooms and study tables are not available.

Appointments are required for our Ignite Studio at Fishers (317-579-0331) and Indiana Room at Noblesville (317-770-3206) due to the high-touch nature of these services.  The Digital Media Lab and A-V studio at Ignite are available by appointment. Reservations can be made in two hour blocks of time for use of the vinyl cutter, sewing machines, cricut machines, Kit Library and pottery wheels. Patrons must bring their own clay.

Yes, you may access our digital and online services through our website or mobile app. Our digital collections have been expanded and include access to free Apps, e-Books, Movies, Music, and online databases. Please continue to visit the Hamilton East Public Library website for updated information. Patrons will have 24/7 access to our free parking lot WI-FI.

We have been busy creating many new live and recorded virtual programs and presentations. Check our calendar of events here that can be accessed through our website. At this time, all of our events are virtual. Please stay tuned for more details by visiting our website or by signing up here to receive our eNewsletter, Bright Ideas.

At this time, we are not able to accommodate groups of people and conduct in-person programming; however, we offer a full range of virtual programs for all ages including our Ignite Studio virtual programs and do-it-yourself instructional videos.

Public computers are available for a maximum of 2 hours per day with one 30-minute extension.  Reservations may be made for the next available computer, if all computers are in use.

The Library requests that all visitors wear a face covering while inside our buildings. All staff are required to wear face coverings. The Library is providing free face coverings if a visitor needs one. The City of Fishers Public Department has issued a mandatory mask beginning, Friday, July 24, 2020 through September 4, 2020 unless otherwise rescinded or extended by a public health order.

Governor Holcomb has also issued a mandatory face covering order beginning on July 27^th.

All library staff are following established health and safety protocols, such as wearing face coverings and practicing physical distancing at all times, completing COVID-related symptom checks, and regularly washing hands and using hand sanitizer at all times. Increased cleaning and hygiene protocols are in place. Most furniture has been removed and remaining furniture has been spaced.

• Plexiglas barriers have been installed at our public service desks.
• Signs are posted at entry points requesting that patrons who are feeling sick not enter the library.
• Each library building has a lower maximum capacity.
• Increased cleaning and sanitizing protocols are in place. Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the library for visitors and staff.
• HVAC system is filtered and has been increased to maximize airflow.
• No in-person programming is available at this time. All programs are delivered virtually.
• Curbside pickup by appointment is being offered to our at-risk population at both libraries.

Yes, we are accepting returns through our book drops located outside and inside. Please do not deposit board games, donations or items that won’t fit in the book return slots.

Please review your due date receipts, check your account online or through the App, or call the library if you have questions.

No, not at this time. Please hold any donations you may have until further notice. In addition, The Friends of the Library bookstores are closed until further notice.

Meeting rooms and study rooms are currently closed in order to prevent the transmission of illness. Many of these rooms have been converted for staff use to maintain optimal physical distancing.

To access updates to our library services, hours, and resources, please visit https://www.hepl.lib.in.us/.

Yes, you may place holds on library books and our digital collections via the website, the app, or staff may help. Once your hold becomes available, you will have the option to pick it up inside our building or, for our at-risk population, you may make an appointment to use our new curbside service:

1. Wait for an email, text, or phone call notice that your hold is available for pickup.
2. Access the library’s website by clicking here to schedule a curbside pickup appointment at least one day in advance, but before your hold expires.
3. Follow the steps in the scheduler tool and select your preferred day and time. You will be asked for details including your library card and pin, as well as vehicle information. The system will remember your details, so you won’t need to enter on your next appointment! Once your reservation is complete, you will receive a confirmation email.
4. Any questions about the online scheduler can be directed to 317-773-1384 (Noblesville) or 317-579-0300 (Fishers). You may also call us if you prefer to schedule over the phone.

A traditional library card is required to place holds and checkout physical materials.  Digital access cardholders may continue to place holds on and checkout e-resources until the digital access card expires.

Please wear a face covering and look for the Holds bookshelves located in the lobby of each library. Holds on our expanded collections of eBooks can be placed here. No holds are needed for our always available Hoopla content here.

Residents of our service area who reside in Delaware, Fall Creek, Noblesville, or Wayne Township of Hamilton County who do not already have a card may come into our buildings to apply for a library card. Bring a photo ID such as a driver’s license and mail dated in the last 60 days, if your ID does not reflect your current residence. If you are unable to come into the library due to COVID-19 concerns, you may contact the library for assistance.

Remember, if you already have a library card, you can use it to access all of HEPL’s ebooks, databases and other downloadable content. For questions related to your library card, please email: circquestions@hepl.lib.in.us

Yes, our buildings are open. Please wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing.

Yes, our buildings are open and PLACs are available for purchase. We ask that you pay by credit card, to minimize cash handling. You will need to bring your home library card and ID.

For information on all our fines, fees and loan periods, please click here. Our Digital resources remain fine-free as always!

Since we’re open for business, come inside the library to renew your card. We request that you wear a face covering. If you cannot come into the building, our staff can help you by phone. You may also contact us at circquestions@hepl.lib.in.us for questions related to your library card.

Your items should automatically review a few days prior to the due date. You may also manage your account on our website and through the HEPL app.

Homebound delivery has resumed for those livening in their own apartments or homes (private residences only). It is still not available for those in group facilities.

Your HEPL library card allows you to checkout 60 total items at a time. This includes 10 DVDs and 10 music CDs.

Our e-Books and e-Audio resources through Overdrive and the Libby app are limited to 10 items at a time. Once you have finished with an ebook or audiobook title, you may return it through the app or your library account and become eligible for additional ebooks and audiobook materials.

Hoopla items, available through the Hoopla App and the HEPL online catalog, allow cardholders to borrow up to 15 titles per calendar month. Cardholders must create a Hoopla account to identify how many borrows they have remaining per month. Look for Hoopla “bonus borrows” as items in this curated collection don’t count against your limit!

Freegal Music: Cardholders may download five songs and stream up to three hours per day beginning each Monday at 1:00 am EST. Cardholders must create a Freegal music account to identify how many downloads or streaming hours are remaining.

The Ignite Studio is open by appointment. Ignite staff will be virtually delivering makers space content through our social media platforms. For more information visit our Virtual Events Calendar on our website here or Ignite Studio here, or follow Hamilton East Public Library and Ignite Studio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Ignite Kit Library is available by reservation. Reservations are two-hour blocks of time and can be made by calling us at 317.579.0331 or email us at IgniteReservations@hepl.lib.in.us. Full details on kits available by reservation can be found here. The reopening of our Kit Library will replace the curbside creativity packs.