Gail Borden cancels programs as part of COVID-19 prevention effort
Gail Borden Public Library District cancels programs in support of COVID-19 prevention efforts
These safety measures are being taken out of concern for the health and safety for our community, not due to any known exposure.
At this time, most of the library's other services remain open.
Health experts including Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, have advocated for social distancing - isolating people and canceling gatherings - as the best solution to avoid the rapid spread of this infectious disease. Slowing the rate of infection will help "flatten the curve" of new COVID-19 cases and keep the health care system from becoming overwhelmed.
All library customers registered for the affected programming are being notified.
The library remains open to the public. Visitors will notice additional adjustments designed to minimize exposure risk to both customers and staff. Toys and games have been temporarily put away. Maintenance staff are frequently sanitizing high-touch surfaces. Seating has been moved farther apart. Homebound delivery has been temporarily discontinued.
Please know that the district offers robust services for people of all ages while they remain in their homes. The 24/7 eLibrary offers downloadable books, streaming movies and music for all ages. The Tumblebook Library offers story books, read-alongs, graphic novels, puzzles and games and more. Much of the content is available in English, Spanish and French. The tutor.com service offers homework help for all ages in different languages.
Visitors to our "Your Library at Home" YouTube channel can access a number of library programs. There are stem craft programs that families can do in their homes, library staff eBook recommendations about titles people can download to their own devices and, of course, we have included a short "how to" video about how to access all of these services.
"As are a number of other public libraries, we want to do our part in limiting person-to-person contact in the near term," said Gail Borden Executive Director Carole Medal. "As we want people to enjoy, learn and participate in our library programs, we are working toward rescheduling events instead of canceling. We will reassess matters next week."
Check the library's schedule of events at www.gailborden.info/events to see if their program has been rescheduled.
At this time, these services and programs continue to be available.
• The Bookmobile continues with most services.
• Passport services.
• People may use the library resources and buildings in a normal fashion to borrow books, movies and utilize our computers.
• Professional staff is still on hand to provide factual information in person, email, text and by phone.
• Early voting continues at the main library at 270 N. Grove through March 16. The main library remains a voting site for Election Day on March 17.
• People may use the library computers to participate in the Census.
• The "Any Way You Slice it, You Count," Census Pi (e) event this Saturday starting at 11 a.m. in the library parking lot is now a carhop, touchless interaction that we hope will still energize people to participate in the Census.
The library will promptly update the public of any further changes to services.
Visit the library's communication with regard to COVID-19 here.
Visitors are encouraged to do their part. Follow the public health measures recommended by officials: Stay home if not feeling well. Wash hands frequently. Use the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the library.