The Hood River County Library District will be closed through April 28, 2020 due to COVID-19. This date is subject to change based upon recommendations and guidelines from the Center for Disease Control, Oregon Health Authority, Governor Kate Brown and Hood River County public health officials.
Based on the scientific evidence that early social distancing can help stop the coronavirus from exponentially spreading, Library District leadership is making the difficult decision to close all locations and outreach services to the public beginning on Saturday, March 14, 2020. This decision is consistent with the governor’s executive order for all K-12 schools to close until April to slow the spread of the virus.
The scientific community is in agreement that flattening the curve of new cases is essential to containing the virus’s spread and reducing the burden on our health care system. Our library team is dedicated to providing excellent public service, but the best way we can serve our patrons and community right now is to aid in slowing the spread of the virus, especially as our patrons include many seniors and others at high risk.
During the closure, we encourage patrons to use Hood River County Library District online resources and services. Residents in our service area can sign up for a library card through our website to access:
Don’t worry about returning or renewing your materials. We will extend the due date and you will not accrue fines during the closure. Please return your materials when we reopen. Our drop boxes will be closed. If you have an item on a hold shelf it will be waiting for you when we reopen. If you have a hold, you will maintain your place in line.
Sharing accurate information from trusted sources is critical to reduce misinformation. Find reliable and current information about the outbreak from local, state, and national agencies on our website www.hoodriverlibrary.org.
The Hood River County Library District will be offering a variety of online programming and services. To learn about programs and services, patrons can follow the Library on social media (Facebook and Instagram), check the library website and sign up for our enewsletter for the latest updates. Our library team looks forward to welcoming our community back into our libraries. The Library’s leadership team will continue to monitor the situation and respond accordingly.
Rachael Fox, Library Director, Hood River County Library District
The Hood River County Library District approved the COVID-19 Closure Plan and Continuation of Service Plan on Saturday, March 14, 2020.
The COVID-19 Closure Plan and Continuation of Service Plan were devised by Hood River County Library District Safety committee based on the best available information about the virus, its spread, and prevention measures; and outbreak prevention and containment best practices employed by large public institutions. The coronavirus outbreak is a rapidly changing situation. Staff and the public will be informed regularly with updates on how the library is handling the situation and when any parts of the closure or continuation of service plan are implemented. We will only implement these plans if deemed necessary.
CLOSURE PLAN The library’s safety committee has determined the following Closure Plan is the best course of action in the event all branches must close due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This plan was approved by the Hood River County Library District Board on March 14, 2020. All decisions will be made by the Library Director with the guidance of the President of the library board.
Scenario A1 — Close Specific Branches
- Individual branches may be closed based on staffing levels. Staff will be deployed to other branches.
Scenario A — Cancel Programs
- All programs, meetings, and study rooms may be suspended if the outbreak worsens.
Scenario B — Close All Locations
- This scenario will be enacted once the Hood River County School District closes, or upon direction from Hood River County, Oregon State or Oregon State Health Authority. Once the decision is made to close all library locations, it will be implemented immediately. The decision to reopen will be made by the library’s Library Director in consultation with the President of the library board.
CONTINUATION OF SERVICE PLAN
The Continuation of Service Plan will be put into place in the event the entire library district needs to close due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The library will continue to offer some services to patrons if closed for a period of time due to coronavirus.
Staffing to Implement Services During a Closure
Essential staff has been identified and will be in regular contact during the closure to ensure services are working as intended. This team will meet regularly and a determination will be made whether a longer closure is required. We will remind the public that our online services will be available, even if the library is closed. In the event of a closure, book drops will be closed and patrons will be unable to return items. Late fees will be waived.
Resuming Regular Services
Regular library services will resume once the branches are reopened. The decision to reopen will be made by the Library Director in consultation with the President of the Library Board.