Library steps up to get books out

Being confined to our homes more hours than most are used to is challenging people to fill that time.

Staff at the Lied Imperial Public Library believes reading will be an important part of that.

As of Wednesday morning last week, Library Director Beth Falla said they remained open, and due to the coronavirus concern, had closed the computer lab area, meeting room and cancelled Story Hour on Fridays.

By noon that day, March 18, however, the library closed its doors.

They were not directed to close by the Nebraska Library Commission, but Falla said she watched the growing list of closings across the state on their website last week.

“I think we actually were the last library in the state to close,” she said Monday.

They were already taking precautions before closing with curbside delivery and extended checkouts. Late fees were also suspended.

Staff had also asked books not be returned, but if patrons felt they had to, it was requested that books be placed in bags with the borrower’s name on them.

As a regular task, even before the virus hit, Falla said they have always washed down returned books to clear them of germs.

Now, when people do return their books in bags (although it’s not encouraged now), Falla said staff is putting them in the meeting room “and leaving them there until a later time.” 

To read more, go to: https://etypeservices.com/Imperial%20RepublicanID359/