Hi folks,

We usually try to limit our emails to the monthly newsletter, but obviously these are unusual times and we want to keep everyone informed as to the library's status.

We are extending our closure through at least March 31 and programs are cancelled while the schools are closed. We are monitoring the situation closely and hope to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so per the guidelines and recommendations of the Maine State Library and the Maine CDC.

Currently the Maine State Library is awaiting specific guidelines from the Maine CDC as to ways to sanitize books and other library materials. Scientists across the world still have much to learn about this strain of coronavirus. Current information suggests that books should be quarantined for at least 3 days. 

Until the Maine CDC can provide these guidelines, the Maine State Library is strongly discouraging libraries from providing pickup or delivery services. They have also suspended interlibrary loan services until the end of the month. As much as it saddens us to not be able to provide our community with library materials at this time, safety and public health must come first. 

However, Maine InfoNet and MSL are working on expanding the digital resources we can offer, particularly additional ebooks and digital audiobooks on CloudLibrary and home access to Ancestry.com (which was previously only available on the library's public computers). We're also searching for additional online resources and will keep our page at http://thomaston.lib.me.us/online-resources.html updated. 

Silent Book Club was originally scheduled this month for Monday, March 23. Obviously we will not be having an in-person meeting to discuss what we're currently reading and share some reading time, but I (Caroline) will be online for 30-40 minutes via Zoom starting at 6:00 PM 3/23 if anyone would like to join me to chat about what they've been reading or watching lately, what the library is working on during the pandemic closure, and more: 

https://zoom.us/j/340532663 or meeting ID 340-532-663

A few other things to note:

• Due dates have all been extended until April 15. If something has been missed and you receive an overdue notice or a bill for an unreturned item, please don't worry but feel free to reach out via email to libraryloan@thomaston.lib.me.us for assistance.
• Our book drop outside the parking lot entrance is open, but we encourage you to keep your materials at home until we are able to re-open. It's a great time for re-reading!
• Library staff will be checking in at the library throughout the week to check the phone messages so feel free to reach out with questions or concerns and we will return calls as soon as we are able, but we are also available through email and social media (and you may receive a quicker response).  
• Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! 
• If you haven't gotten your library card updated yet to the new, 14-digit barcode to be able to use CloudLibrary, the digital lending service for ebooks and digital audiobooks, let us know! When a staff person is in the library, we'll update your card number and contact you.