Dear Lake County,

First, I want to tell you how tremendous you have been in the face of the coronavirus threat. Your decisions to stay home, limit outings, wash your hands, wear masks, and look out for each other have not only reduced the spread of COVID-19 and protected our healthcare workers and vulnerable residents, it has also shown the strength, fortitude, and creativity that you bring to bear on any challenge. 

I wanted to also thank you all so much for being patient with changes to library service as this crisis has unfolded. You have done an amazing job of learning the new processes and following the procedures that are helping us to still offer some library services in a very low-risk way. I know I can speak for all library staff and say that we miss you and can't wait until we can get together and talk books or movies over a library desk again. 

As you are probably aware, Lake County is working on a reopening plan to submit to the Governor's Office. We are working on a reopening plan at the library, too. Part of doing that is grappling with the reality that for the next 12-18 months, we will have to 'change gears' in our library operations in response to the ebb and flow of coronavirus in our communities. There will be times we will need to follow more strict restrictions, and there will be times that we can do things more normally. We are working to figure out what library service looks like under different restriction levels, and how and when to move between levels. We also want to tie the library plan to the local plan for Lake County and the statewide plan from the Governor's Office, neither of which are finalized yet. 

We are also working to obtain the necessary equipment and supplies to be able to safely reopen our facilities to the public. We operate buildings full of frequently-touched surfaces that according to CDC and OHA guidelines need to be disinfected regularly. Unfortunately, buying supplies such as disinfecting spray, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, or gloves to use while cleaning is very close to impossible right now for those not in healthcare or an essential service like grocery stores. We are lucky we had enough on hand to continue doing Library Take Out service, but those supplies would quickly be exhausted if we invited the public into our buildings again and needed to regularly disinfect public computers, tables, and chairs. 

All of this is to say that things will likely go slower than we want it to go. In the meantime, we will continue to offer Library Take Out, virtual Story Times (via Facebook Live), and all of our online resources for you to use at home. If you need tax forms, or have a time-sensitive copy/print need, we can do those via Library Take Out, too. We look forward to a future where we can invite you back inside your libraries. I wish I could tell you when that might be. We will continue to share information here on our website and on our Facebook page. So stay tuned and stay healthy!

Cordially,
Amy Hutchinson, Library Director

All Lake County Library District locations remain physically closed to the public to be in compliance with the Governor’s Stay Home, Save Lives order, but items can still be checked out with Library Take Out. To make things even easier, Lake County Libraries now offer a Library Picks option. To use the service, library patrons call their local library. Staff will ask questions about what kind of book, audio book, or video they are looking for and how many they would like. Staff will work behind the scenes to find items to fulfill the request and call when the items are ready. Patrons can then pick them up during the library’s regular Take Out times.
 
The service was designed in part to help families with school-age kids. Since they are not able to come to the library to choose items themselves, library staff can help select materials. That way kids and teens can keep their reading skills sharp and even encounter new books they may not have known about. “We know everyone is dealing with a lot right now, and even choosing something to read, listen to, or watch for yourself or your kids can feel like too much,” said Library Director Amy Hutchinson. “We hope that Library Picks helps make things simpler and easier,” said Hutchinson.
 
Tax forms are also available via Library Take Out. Simply call your local library and identify the form you need. Library staff will let you know how to pick it up. You can reach your local libraries at the following numbers: Main Library Lakeview at 541-947-6019, Christmas Valley Library at 541-576-2336, Paisley Library at 541-943-3911.
 
For the Main Library, Library Take Out can be picked up between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM Tuesdays through Fridays or Saturdays between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Christmas Valley Take Out can be picked up between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays and between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM Saturdays. Paisley Take Out can be picked up between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Silver Lake Take Out can be picked up between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM on Mondays. Questions about Library Picks or Library Take Out can be answered by your local library staff or Library Director Amy Hutchinson, 541-947-6019. 

The Lake County Library District is seeking a Lake County resident to serve on the library's Budget Committee for the FY 2020-2021 annual budget. Budget Committee members are appointed by the library board and generally attend one meeting per year in April or May to review the library's annual budget. The board especially seeks a candidate from the Warner Valley area. Current appointed Budget Committee members hail from Lakeview, Paisley, Summer Lake, and Christmas Valley. 

To apply, send an email stating your interest, any previous budget experience you may have, and why you are interested in the appointment to amyh@lakecountylibrary.org. For questions email or call Library Director Amy Hutchinson at 541-947-6019 or the email above.