GREAT FALLS — The Great Falls Public Library Board of Trustees announced on Monday afternoon that the library will be closed beginning on Tuesday, March 17th, until further notice, due to the growing concerns of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
In a meeting that lasted about an hour, points for both sides, closing the library and remaining open, but with limited hours, were brought up and considered thoroughly.
According to Library Director Susie McIntyre, the library staff wanted to keep working, but were afraid of the health risks that could arise, should large groups of people continue to congregate in the building for extended periods of time. Not only that, but some employees, such as technology experts, might be called to come work in the city offices in this time of emergency, which could leave the library even more short-staffed than they already are.
McIntyre cited a phone conference with other Montana libraries earlier in the day, saying that several other facilities around the state had either closed or changed their hours and procedures to reduce to risk of spreading COVID-19 to more people.
One point against closing was the argument that the library serves as more than just a place to check out books for many people in Great Falls. It’s a gathering place, a social space, a building with access to computers and the internet, and so much to a lot of people.
The problems facing the staff had simply mounted too much to remain open, however. Some staff have already been forced to leave due to their kids not being in school anymore or other reasons. On top of that, only about 1/3 of the computers in the building were available for public use. This was to promote social distancing by having people at the computers more spread out, and to make the task of cleaning the computers easier for the staff.
The bright side is that there will still be several services available to the public while the library is closed, and McIntyre said that the staff can still come to work and get paid to work on other projects that had been pushed aside by the hustle and bustle of everyday operations. Those additional services include, but are not limited to:
- Phone service. You can still call the library during business hours with questions about operations, items that you may wish to check out, or general questions.
- Online services such as MontanaLibrary2GO and Chilton’s Auto Repair Database will be available 24/7.
- Public Wi-Fi will still be accessible outside of the building every day from 6:00 A.M. until 11:00 P.M.
Keep an eye on the Great Falls Public Library Facebook page and website for updates on what services are available and how long the library will remain closed.
- 2 more cases of COVID-19 reported in Montana
- Several Montana counties close bars and limit restaurant service
- Bullock directs two-week closure of public K-12 schools in Montana
- Two COVID-19 cases confirmed in Missoula County; total in Montana is now six
- How the coronavirus closure will affect Great Falls Public Schools
- Officials in Cascade County address coronavirus concerns
- CDC: Cancel or postpone all events with more than 50 people for next 8 weeks
- St. Patrick's Day parade and other events canceled due to coronavirus
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, you can take the following steps to protect yourself and your family.
- To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, you can take the following steps to protect yourself and your family.
- Stay home if you’re sick,
- Cover your cough and sneezes with the crook of your elbow or a tissue
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and wash your hands frequently
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
- Call ahead to a healthcare professional if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread. Tell your healthcare professional about your recent travel or contact.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), as of March 14, there are 3,487 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the nation. There have been 68 deaths. Click here for the latest information about COVID-19 at the CDC website.
