- ADVERTISEMENT - Libraries in Long Beach began welcoming guests back inside this week following months of closures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since June, the city’s library system had been offering to-go services for books ordered online, but now families and residents can visit the library in person. Senior Librarian Mara Pearce at the Michelle Obama Library in North Long Beach said her staff was excited to see patrons come back inside using some of the services, such as computers and printers, and simply just hanging out. Things were a bit different inside the library, however. Certain colorful corners designed for children were still closed off to promote social distancing. Libraries are requiring guests to wear a mask inside and to limit their stay to 30 minutes.