The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is distributing free at-home coronavirus test kits. 

Beginning Thursday, 1,900 kits from Mahoning County Public Health will be available at the main library, all open branches and the pop-up library.

People must call the library first at 330-744-8636 to reserve a kit. It will then be available for curbside pick-up. Those who have COVID-19 symptoms should have someone else pick up their test, library officials say. The test is intended for those suspected of having COVID-19 within the first seven days of symptom onset.

Mahoning County residents who are homebound can also request a test kit to be mailed by calling the library's special delivery service at 330-792-3869, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and a kit will be mailed to them.

The 15-minute Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card Home Tests are self-administered with visual instruction and consultation.

"Keeping yourself tested, especially if you have only gotten one shot of the vaccine or haven't had the opportunity yet to get the shot is really important," said Aimee Fifarek, Executive Director, The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. 

"People might want to test themsleves before they go to a family dinner, before they travel, go on college visits or before they return to work," Fifarek said.

"A trained telehealth professional guides those being tested through the at-home self-test via video call, using the free NASVICA mobile app or by visiting the Ohio.eMed.com website," says Ryan Tekac, the Mahoning County health commissioner. 

To complete the at-home test, people need a smartphone, tablet, or a computer with a webcam, microphone, speaker and internet access. An email account is also needed. 

According to the library, the test kits will be used in collaboration with a telehealth session.