Due to the public health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus, York Public Library has made the decision to temporarily close its doors. We serve a large number of visitors on a daily basis, many of whom fall within the population most at risk for coronavirus. We do not arrive at this decision lightly, but in our mission to serve the community the best we can, we need to take the necessary precautions to protect staff and visitors alike.
To that end, the Library will be closed – effectively immediately. We hope to reopen Tuesday, March 31, but the exact date will be determined with guidance from public health officials.
Be assured that library staff are working hard on initiatives to make the coming days a little easier to bear. To address immediate concerns:
But my books are due next week!
Please keep your library materials until we reopen on or after March 31st. There will be no penalty for doing so. Lest our book drop overflow, we ask you to please not return library materials until we reopen on or after March 31st.
But I need WiFi!
Our WiFi will remain on and available within its normal perimeter outside the library.
But I have a bunch of books and DVDs on hold for me!
They will remain on hold for you. We promise.
But I already read all my books!
Check out our downloadable ebooks and audiobooks available from CloudLibrary. They are free and easy to use. Or try Pronunciator and learn a brand new language over the next few weeks! We have digital access to a wide variety of great resources we’ll be highlighting on our website and social media channels over the days to come.
We’re working on other options to provide resources to the community and we’ll provide updates with new information as it becomes available.
But I’m so bored!
It’s going to be a rough couple of weeks all around. We’re doing what we can to provide other services and access to additional online resources and programming. Stay tuned for updates.
But my group had a meeting scheduled at the library!
To safeguard public health, once the library is closed to the public, the only meetings we will be hosting are those for the Town’s emergency response team as they work on dealing with this public health crisis. We will be in touch to reschedule your meetings once we have a definite reopening date.
But I have a question!
Library staff will be available on a limited basis by phone and email. To reach us by email: info@yorkpubliclibrary.org To contact us by phone, call 207-363-2818 and leave a message. We will be checking email and voicemail on a daily basis and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Final thoughts:
Reach out to your neighbors – especially the most vulnerable to this virus: those with serious health conditions or those age 60+. Don’t assume people don’t need help. Not everyone has someone they can count on.
Speaking for the entire Library Staff and Board of Trustees when I say: please be well and stay safe.
Michelle Sampson
Executive Director
Executive Director
York Public Library