Aurelia C. Scott uses the new self-checkout at the Portland Public Library on Wednesday, which was the first day it was open to the public since the start of the coronavirus pandemic shutdown in March 2020. Scott was a regular patron of the library, and would go there a few times each week. She wanted to pick up books in person on the first day of reopening.
A librarian checks the shelves of reserved books at the main Portland Public Library. The library now has a small browsing section open as well as a place where people can pick up the books they reserved online.
Susan C. Allen browses new fiction books at the Congress Street library. Allen described the library as her “home away from home,” and said she couldn’t wait to go back inside. Wednesday was her birthday and Allen said she cut her celebrations a bit short and had her granddaughter drop her off at the library.
Elise Smorczewski sanitizes her desk at the Portland Public Library. Only 12 patrons are allowed in at a time and all of the workstations are sanitized regularly.
Most of the public-use computers are covered, with only a couple available, during the library's first day open to the public since March 2020.
Local & State 
