March 17, 2020 @ 2:00pm

Nelson, BC – The Nelson Public Library will be closed to the public effective 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Library Board of Trustees has made this decision to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 throughout our community. We have been working in conjunction with the City of Nelson, our local health authority, and in coordination with other libraries in the region to ensure our practices and operations reflect the best available recommendations. This difficult decision was made to support the overall health and wellness of our communities and for the safety of our patrons and staff.

While wanting to support the continuity of services to citizens of Nelson, the Library must be part of the solution. The best way we can serve our patrons now is to help contain the virus, especially as our patrons include many seniors and others that are considered high risk.

To help our community through this time, we have extended the due dates on all physical library materials to May 2.  Materials can be returned through our exterior book drop.

During this time, there will be no public access to the library building. All library services to the public will be suspended including:

• Library programs and events
• Library meeting room bookings
• Home delivery services
• Outreach programs

Digital services, such as our online catalogue, ebooks, e-audiobooks, digital magazines and newspapers, and Lynda.com will continue to be available at www.nelsonlibrary.ca Library staff assistance is available via email at library@nelson.ca or telephone at (250) 352-6333. We are making plans on how we can serve residents virtually and over the phone and will do our best to think of creative ways to help normalize the situation for our residents.

Anni Holtby, Chair Nelson Public Library and Tracey Therrien, Chief Librarian, sincerely thank patrons for their patience during the closure.

We encourage our community to follow the advice and recommendations of our health authority, Interior Health, and the BC Centre for Disease Control for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.  A list of reliable resources is also available on our website at www.nelsonlibrary.ca.

Please follow the library’s FaceBook page and our website at www.nelsonlibrary.ca for updates.

Media Contacts:

Tracey Therrien, Chief Librarian ttherrien@nelson.ca or (250) 352-6333

Anni Holtby, Chair, Nelson Public Library holtby@shaw.ca

####