#New York’s public libraries to begin reopening July 13

The steps of the New York Public Library in Bryant Park remain empty during the lockdown spurred by the coronavirus.
Stephen Yang

Twenty-two branches across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens will reopen for grab-and-go service beginning July 13.

The city’s three library systems — The New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library — on Thursday announced their plan to get back into circulation.

During the initial reopening, bookworms will be able to check out and return tomes — without worrying about fines.

“Our goal is to refresh people’s personal libraries and make it as easy as possible,” Brian Bannon, chief librarian of The New York Public Library, told The Post.

To make that happen, readers will order their materials online or over the phone. When they go to an open branch for pick up, they’ll find what they requested in a bin with their name on it — so the whole process is contactless.

Still, everyone will be required to wear a mask and stick to social-distancing.

All returned items will be placed in quarantine for 72 hours before they’re made available again.

But there will be no browsing, at least not initially.

Nothing that was taken out before the pandemic will be subject to a late fee. And any materials checked out through September won’t be subject to fines, either.

While libraries have continued to offer programing online since shuttering mid-March, there’s nothing quite like a brick-and-mortar book haven.

“People miss their neighborhood librarians, their neighbors and their library as having a place in their lives,” Bannon said.

“The digital world can only take us so far.”