View from the library

Per the Governor’s stay-at-home directive, the library will continue to be closed until further notice.

While we may not be able to put physical books in your hands during this closure, we still want to stay connected and provide services that are beneficial to you during this time.

Heather is available for tech help over the phone or through email Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can get in touch with her by leaving a voicemail at the library (883-8225) or send her an email at nlcplibrarytechhelp@gmail.com. You can always leave voicemails for the rest of us too or send an email to polsoncl@polson.lib.mt.us - we’d love to answer questions or help in any way that we are able!

We are hoping to expand our Digital Outreach services very soon. We may not be able to see you, but you will start to see us. We have some fun programming ideas we would like to share. If you have programs, tutorials, tech classes, book clubs or anything else you would like to see us do, please let us know! We are here to provide whatever services we are able during this time.

At this time, we have cancelled all library programs and physical outreach services, including use of the library meeting rooms. Unfortunately we do not have a date when we will be able to resume, but we will let you know as soon as that can happen.

While you can’t get any physical items right now, you can still create lists in your online account of items you will want after things are back to normal. Instructions to do that are on our website. Any items you currently have checked out are not due until April 30, 2020. You do not need to contact us to renew them. We may be extending this date. During this time our outside book drop is not available, so please just keep any items you have checked out at home. We will let you know when they can be returned. You will not accrue any late fees during this time.

We also are not able to accept any donations of books, movies, magazines or puzzles right now. Please hold onto them and once we can accept those items again we will post that information.

Our staff is staying home to help stop the spread of COVID-19, but that does not mean we aren’t working. All of our librarians have been working on projects from home and we are excited to begin our Digital Outreach services for you!

If you are in need of Internet, the library’s wireless internet (Wi-Fi) is working and can be accessed from outside the building around the perimeter – including in your vehicle.

If you do not currently have a library card, please email or leave a message at the library and we will set you up with a library card number and pin so you can access our online services during the closure. Montana Library2Go has opened access up for everyone in Montana, even if you do not have a library card now. This is an ideal time to get comfortable with all of the online services the library offers including free eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, foreign language learning, and tech tutorials. You will find it all at our website northlakecountylibrary.org/digital-resources.

We are living in an uncertain time, but if we all do our part and follow the Governor’s directive to stay at home we can slow the spread of this virus and hopefully get back to normal. Everyone at the library wants you to know that we miss seeing all of you and are looking forward to the day that the library can reopen. We will keep you informed regularly via our website and Facebook page to let you know what is happening at the library and thank you all for your continued patience and understanding during this unprecedented time. Stay home, stay healthy, and stay connected.

—Abbi Dooley, North Lake County Public Library District