Dear Friends
I want to update you with regard to the status of the Library during the continuing COVID – 19 epidemic. As you know, we have been offering a curbside service to all patrons between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. We encourage you to participate. Hold requests can be placed from your library account at our website, or by calling 480-488-2286 and speaking to me or another employee.
We had hoped to move to Phase 2 of re-opening at the beginning of August. Whilst we would love to do this, the conditions for re-opening still do not exist. Many of the visitors to the library, as well as the majority of volunteers and some employees, are in the high-risk category if they contract the virus. We believe there is a continuing need for us to exercise caution and be prudent about re-opening. We have, therefore, decided to delay Phase 2 until the beginning of September, at least.
To recap, Phase 2, will provide patrons with limited access to the building. We envisage this being by appointment only. The collection and Chapter2 would be available for browsing. Limited access would be available for the use of public computers. There would be no programs, room rentals or access to study rooms.
Phase 3 will be a wider re-opening of the Library, but we do not see this being implemented until the winter months. At that time, we see the possibility of a gradual re-introduction of programs.
We know that the customers of Chapter2 Books are keen to browse and purchase. We are still working on a way of displaying a selection of used books but this is proving difficult, given the limited resources available, both in terms of employees working at the library and display space. In the meantime, you can, however, access an inventory of our books using our online store.
We continue to believe in our approach to dealing with this public health situation. We have the best interests of patrons, volunteers and staff at heart and we hope that you will continue to support the Library through this very difficult period of time.
Yours in loving the library,
David Court
Executive Director
