Message from the LIbrary Director
1/25/2021
The West Linn Public Library is here to serve you, regardless of the circumstances!
We continue to prioritize the health and safety of our patrons, staff, and greater community during this ongoing global pandemic. The Library will continue to follow public health orders and guidance.
As we see schools, and other public places beginning to open, we are committed to continuing our current service levels. We believe our curbside service, along with our virtual offerings and expanded online resources, are the best option at this time to serve the wider community. Our curbside service allows us to efficiently and safely provide requested materials for at least 20 patrons each hour (plus their family members as we can combine pick-ups!) This means that every week we offer an average of 600 curbside appointments or nearly 2700 each month. Until we can safely offer the same level of service currently provided by our curbside service, the Library will remain closed to the public.
The logistics of our curbside system, which takes up most of the front of the library including both of the main floor entrances, means that we could not continue to offer this service while opening the doors to the public safely. In fact, with limited capacity and other restrictions, we would be serving far fewer patrons if we opened the building than we are able to accommodate with curbside service.
Per the current COVID-19 guidelines, library staff must work at a reduced capacity inside our facilities. Staff follow public health guidelines like wearing face coverings, washing hands frequently and maintaining social distance with coworkers. They are shelving books, pulling holds, quarantining returned materials, creating online content and preparing materials for curbside appointments while safely delivering these materials via a no-contact pick-up system.
Our librarians are still here for you virtually! Staff continue to take your questions via phone, email, or even booking a specialty appointment. Since March we have implemented a wide variety of virtual programming and have expanded our online resources. We also have been working with community organizations, our local school district, and other partners to support West Linn residents with many different needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Curbside services allow patrons to easily book an appointment to pick up library materials, book bundles, and “take and make kits” without having to go inside the building. Customers are notified via email or phone once their items are on hold and ready for pick-up so they can make their appointment. Soon we will be expanding to offer print services as well. Our exterior library book return is available to return materials anytime.
Take advantage of our large digital collection, extensive hub of online resources, and many virtual programs available for all ages and interests. Browse our catalog for physical materials, access eBooks and eAudiobooks through Library 2Go and cloudLibrary or conduct research. Mark your calendar for an upcoming virtual program or watch a precorded library event from anywhere, anytime. We have recently added new resources including the New York Times, Creativebug, Bookflix, and Beanstack.
Need WiFi? It is accessible outside the Library and other City facilities, including City Hall, and the Police Department for anyone to use, day or night. Free Wifi is also available in some West Linn Parks including Hammerle, Fields Bridge, Willamette, Tanner Creek, Sunset, and Marylhurst Heights.
So, The Library is Open… for take-out, online orders and live streaming!
We look forward to when we can truly be together in person and until then thank you for your patience, understanding and concern.
Sincerely,
Doug Erickson
West Linn Public Library Director
