Library Pausing Operations Over Holidays Due to Local COVID-19 Cases
Monday, December 14, 2020
Amid public health concerns about the transmission of COVID-19 over the holidays, the Kansas City Public Library will close all locations from December 24, 2020, through January 3, 2021.
Library locations will close at their normal times on Wednesday, December 23. In addition to protecting the health of both patrons and staff, the holiday pause will enable the Library to maintain adequate staffing across its system. Locations that are currently in operation will resume available Library services Monday, January 4.
The break does not affect the Library’s Digital Branch, which offers a vast collection of eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital materials and resources. They remain available throughout the building closures, as will access to the Post Office boxes at the North-East and Bluford branches, and access to the Library’s free Wi-Fi.
“We know services at our physical locations will be missed,” says John Herron, the Library’s executive director. “But we feel strongly that this extended pause is best for our community as we work together to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We encourage patrons to lean even more during this time on our digital offerings, which have been significantly expanded and upgraded over the past nine months. We look forward to reopening our locations on the 4th and safely resuming limited in-person services.”
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us. For ongoing updates, visit kclibrary.org/coronavirus.
Library locations will close at their normal times on Wednesday, December 23. In addition to protecting the health of both patrons and staff, the holiday pause will enable the Library to maintain adequate staffing across its system. Locations that are currently in operation will resume available Library services Monday, January 4.
The break does not affect the Library’s Digital Branch, which offers a vast collection of eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital materials and resources. They remain available throughout the building closures, as will access to the Post Office boxes at the North-East and Bluford branches, and access to the Library’s free Wi-Fi.
“We know services at our physical locations will be missed,” says John Herron, the Library’s executive director. “But we feel strongly that this extended pause is best for our community as we work together to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We encourage patrons to lean even more during this time on our digital offerings, which have been significantly expanded and upgraded over the past nine months. We look forward to reopening our locations on the 4th and safely resuming limited in-person services.”
SERVICE INFORMATION
- Patrons using the Pop In / Pick Up holds service are encouraged to pick up books and other physical materials in advance of the holidays. You can still place holds during the closure using our online catalog. Pop In / Pick Up resumes on January 4.
- In-person appointment services such as public computer sessions, Book a Browse at Plaza Branch's Kid Corner, and Missouri Valley Special Collections research sessions will be on hiatus during this period.
- Remote printing and photocopying, faxing, and scanning services will be unavailable during the holiday closure.
- Free and open Wi-Fi will remain accessible outside all Library locations.
- Kids Café will not operate during the closure. The program will resume January 4 at the L.H. Bluford, Waldo, Southeast, and Trails West branches.
- Post Office boxes will remain accessible at the Bluford and North-East locations while the Library is closed.
- Ruiz and Sugar Creek locations will remain closed after January 4 due to staffing pressures (details here).
- The Library’s Digital Branch remains accessible 24/7 -- you can still enjoy digital materials and resources such as eBooks, audiobooks, streaming videos, and music.
- Families can explore videos of storytimes and other youth activities on the Youth & Family Engagement YouTube channel or enjoy stories by phone with our Dial-A-Story service.
- The Library's past signature events are also available on YouTube or through our online event archive.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us. For ongoing updates, visit kclibrary.org/coronavirus.
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