Thank you for the support you’ve shown the Columbus Metropolitan Library during this global crisis. With the safety of our customers and staff our top concern, we continue to keep a close eye on the news coming out of the governor’s office, as well as guidelines from local, state and national health officials as this pandemic continues to evolve.
In response to Governor DeWine’s recent framework, we are preparing for a phased-in approach to reopening. We are finalizing a plan to open a few locations in May with limited services. Specific timing is subject to the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for our staff and guidelines for customers. We will provide advance notice and specifics of locations and services as soon as possible. Until then, the closure of all 23 of our library locations will continue.
As part of our ongoing planning, we’re coordinating with public libraries around the country to share best practices and ways we can better serve you. Last week we announced a unique partnership with Battelle and OCLC, two industry-leading institutions in central Ohio, to learn more about how long the COVID-19 coronavirus lives on different types of library materials. The work we do here will have far-reaching implications for public libraries around the state, country and even the world, ensuring that the vital services libraries provide to communities can resume in a way that is safe for everyone.
We continue to work hard to find ways to provide you and your family with more digital resources and online programming. Visit columbuslibrary.org for free access to regularly updated, trusted information about COVID-19 and to keep up-to-date with what we’re doing.
We’ve also provided more ways to connect with us:
•Phone Lines: We’ve reopened our phone lines at 614-645-2275 so you can reach us to get the help you need Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
•Homework Help Chat: Our new live chat feature lets K-12 students and educators connect with us for help with at-home learning Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
•Reserve an Expert: You can now schedule a one-on-one, virtual appointment with a librarian to get help with genealogy, local history, business information, searching for a job or downloading digital content.
We’re eager to reopen our doors and see you again in person when it is safe to do so. Thank you again for your trust and support as we all continue to navigate this new way of living and learning together.
Patrick Losinski, CEO
Columbus Metropolitan Library
