FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Patricia Spencer, Public Information Officer
Pspencer@lclibrary.org or 406.459.0614
Update to Yesterday’s Closure Announcement
October 23, 20202 (Helena, MT)—Due to the rise in COVID cases in Lewis & Clark County over the past couple of weeks, and a staff member’s close contact with a positive COVID case, we decided to close the Library for the safety of staff and patrons. The staff member with the close contact is not exhibiting symptoms, but was tested yesterday and the Library awaits the result. The staff member did not have contact with patrons. The Library is offering its full and unqualified support to the employee and all staff and patrons.
The Library anticipates reopening the Library for holds pickup by Wednesday, October 28th following a negative test. Online resources are still available including access to downloadable books, music, and movies. All other in-person services are temporarily unavailable at the Main Helena Library, including Phone-a-Librarian, Holds Pick Up, and Bookmobile services.
The Library was already closed to the public due to construction, but staff were working in the building providing holds pickup, answering reference questions on the phone, and reorganizing the library collections for their new spaces.
Branch libraries in East Helena, Augusta, and Lincoln remain open for services and limited access. All of the Library’s book drops remain open and are being emptied.
The Library has and will continue to take steps to ensure the health and safety of our patrons, employees, business partners, and their families. We are proud of our workforce and offer our whole-hearted support of, and continued commitment to, everyone’s health and safety in these unprecedented times.
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