Submitted by the San Juan Island Library

We want to express our gratitude for your support and patience during the COVID-19 outbreak.

In response to Gov. Inslee’s announcement today that all Washington state schools were to close, the San Juan Island Library has made the difficult decision to also close the library, effective Sunday, March 15.

This closure is in accordance with our “Epidemic and Pandemic Response” policy and will remain in effect until at least April 24, following Governor Inslee’s mandate for schools. This includes all library programs and all meeting room reservations, too.

For those of you with items checked out, please hold on to them until we re-open. The drop boxes will be closed. Remember, we have no overdue fines, and there will be no billing of long-overdue items during this time. If you have a hold to collect or wish to grab a last-minute library item, please come to the library today or tomorrow.

If you are unable to visit before 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14, any items on hold will be saved until we resume our normal operating hours.

All interlibrary loan requests will be suspended. Staff will be answering phones and emails if you have any questions.

To date, we have had no confirmed COVID-19 cases in our libraries or in Spokane County, but it is clear that now is the time for strong and decisive action in order to protect the public. We are taking this action in the best interest for the health of staff, the community, and flattening the curve

The decision to close does not come easily, as it means a temporary loss of access to the in-person services and gathering spaces the Library is known for providing to so many in our community. However, this does not mean a complete shutdown of library services.

Remember, this is a perfect time for you to check out the library’s many including www.sjlib.org/research; e-book and e-audio; streaming tv; online classes ; and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines. And Wi-Fi access will remain available in the library parking lot.

Patrons can stay updated on changes to library services on our website, and on our page for coronavirus updates. You can also follow the library on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated.

We will be in continued contact with public health officials to evaluate our services during this time.

In the meantime, you can also stay informed through some of the region’s best resources on this crisis, including San Juan County COVID-19 Information, Washington State Department of Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention.