Officials with the City of El Paso announced the date for the El Paso Zoo’s reopening, as well as the resumption of Curbside Library Services.
According to officials, with the support of the El Paso Department of Public Health and the Office of Emergency Management, the El Paso Public Libraries will resume curbside services at eight (8) library branches starting Monday, February 1; and the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens will reopen to the public with limited operating hours and limited services beginning Wednesday, February 10.
“While the City continues our fight against COVID-19, we are also aware of the stress caused by the pandemic,” said Quality of Life Deputy City Manager Tracey Jerome. “Quality of Life services such as the libraries and our Zoo are important to the well-being of our community, and we want to be responsive to providing care and service for our community.”
Beginning Monday, February 1, Library customers will be allowed to pick up materials via the curbside service. The contactless service will be offered at the Richard Burges, Irving Schwartz and Dorris Van Doren branches.
Materials must be reserved ahead of time by visiting the library’s online catalog at elpasolibrary.org or by calling the specific location.
The department will also provide mobile curbside service via the Bookmobile at the Memorial Park, Clardy Fox, Sergio Troncoso, Armijo and Judge Marquez branches. Hours of operation are detailed in the attached document.
The Bookmobile service is also contactless, and no one will be allowed in the Bookmobile. Materials must be reserved ahead of time by calling the Bookmobile at (915) 212-0600 or online at elpasolibrary.org.
Borrowed materials may be returned at five (5) library locations every Friday beginning February 5, 2021. The locations include the Main, Richard Burges, Esperanza Moreno, and Dorris Van Dorn Libraries, as well as the Bookmobile’s Friday stop at the Armijo Library.
Curbside service will vary slightly at each library branch, so visitors are encouraged to follow the posted signage. All wait times for holds may be longer than usual.
The libraries will quarantine materials for 96 hours (4 days) and clean all materials before they are re-shelved and available for checkout. In addition, any fines due to the library can be paid online. For more library information, click here.
The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens will reopen to the public with limited operating hours and limited services beginning Wednesday, February 10.
“All current health and safety protocols will be followed, including required face coverings by visitors and zoo staff, proper hand hygiene and physical distancing requirements,” officials share. “In addition, signage and hand sanitizer stations have been added throughout zoo grounds.”
New Zoo Hours of Operation
·         9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Friday
·         9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
·         Closed Monday and Tuesday
Some indoor buildings will remain closed to the public. The African Star Train, the Hunt Family Endangered Species Carousel and the Copper Canyon Ropes Challenge course will also remain closed, at this time. Keeper chats and interactive activities will not be offered until further notice.
Food and beverages will be available for sale along with limited indoor and outdoor seating. In addition, guest may bring their own food and drinks (glass items, alcoholic beverages and single-use straws are not allowed).
The zoo will continue to provide interactive and educational programs and activities on its Facebook page. For more information, click here to visit the El Paso Zoo’s website
