All libraries will close to public access beginning Sunday, Nov. 22; Curbside Pick-Up to continue

Due to the continued high rate of COVID-19 infections in the community, Mesa County Libraries will close all buildings to public access beginning Sunday, Nov. 22. 

The closure will last at least through the end of December.

Curbside Pick-Up will continue to be available at all library locations except the Gateway Branch, where patrons are encouraged to use the library’s Books by Mail program. You must make an appointment to use curbside pick-up.

Other services expected to continue during the closure are:

• Children’s story times and other programming will continue to be streamed on the library’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram TV pages and via Zoom. Past programming, such as local history and 970West Artist in Residence presentations, also are available for viewing on those pages.
• Take-and-Make kits for children and teens (and occasionally for all ages) will continue to be available. Please see the Event Calendar at mesacountylibraries.org for more information about which kits are currently available.
• Telephone assistance with book or movie recommendations, placing holds, and basic technology help will be available by calling the Central Library at 970-243-4442 or your local library branch.
• Online eResources such as ebooks and eAudiobooks via OverDrive, Kanopy streaming movies, Lynda learning, Mango Languages, and RBdigital Magazines will continue to be available through mesacountylibraries.org.
• WiFi Internet access will continue to be available outside all locations.

With Mesa County moving to the “Severe Risk” pandemic alert level because of its COVID-19 case numbers, people are being discouraged from gathering or spending significant amounts of time around others. That situation caused the library to re-evaluate its services, said Library Director Michelle Boisvenue-Fox.

“Mesa County Libraries take seriously our responsibility to serve local residents,” Boisvenue-Fox said. “We want to do our part to help reduce the pandemic’s impact on the community while still providing essential core services to our patrons. We believe this plan achieves an appropriate balance.”

“We are committed to offering Curbside Pick-Up throughout the pandemic to continue access to library materials,” she said.