||| FROM PHIL HEIKKINEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY |||
As some of you may have already read, the Governor’s office has issued a “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” plan, which updates the State’s approach to recovery from the virus pandemic.
On January 20, specific guidelines for libraries were added, which we will implement beginning Friday, January 22. The new guidelines call for libraries in Phase One (as we all are initially) to cease any in-building services, and to return to offering only online and curbside services.
Because I felt that our limited in-building access was working well, offering significantly improved services at extremely low risk, and because the public response to opening the building even on a limited basis was overwhelmingly positive, I looked into our options for continuing this approach. However, we do not have the legal ability to go our own way on this issue. I hope that we can open up again as soon as our regional metrics permit, which could be as soon as a few weeks if all goes well.
The procedures: Staff members will checkout and deliver materials directly to library users via an outside table, or to people’s cars upon request. We will take item requests via our online catalog, email, phone, or in person at the front door. We will fulfill requests as soon as possible, normally on the next curbside day.
Our curbside services will be available initially on Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat from noon to 3 p.m. If possible, we will expand days and/or hours based on needs and further developments. Also, upon request we will make alternate pickup arrangements for people who can’t come during our posted times.
As always, please call us at 360-376-4985 with any questions, comments, or requests. Or email me directly at pheikkinen@orcaslibrary.org. We will also post updates to our website at www.orcaslibrary.org, where people can also search our catalog, place reserves/requests, and use our wide variety of online resources.
For general information about the new guidelines, follow this link. And for guidelines specific to libraries:
You can also reach out to our local representative from the Governor’s office with any comments or questions about the new guidelines:
Joe Timmons, Northwest Washington Region (Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, San Juan), 425-309-4035, Joe.Timmons@gov.wa.gov.
