The Coeur D'Alene Public library is closed until further notice in an ongoing effort to stop the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Patrons will still be able to place holds and the the library staff are making arrangements to provide curbside service to deliver books and other materials without making personal contact. Patrons picking up holds do not need to bring their library cards because that information is provided when holds are placed.
Holds can be placed at the library's website - www.cdalibrary.org. Library staff are answering phones and checking email. Contact the library at 208-769-2315 or [email protected]. The library's hours for service will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend operations are discontinued for now.
For the time being patrons do not need to return borrowed items until the emergency is over. No overdues will be enforced during the closure.
Library Director Bette Ammon said the decision to close the library was made in consultation with the Library Board of Trustees and Mayor Steve Widmyer and other City officials.
"We cannot in good conscience keep the library open to the public when 30 miles away in Spokane crowds of 50 or more people are being banned," she said. "We will continue to monitor the situation and will reopen when it is safe to do so."
Panhandle Health in Idaho is also recommending avoiding groups of people of 50 or more and that individuals maintain a safe distance from other people.
The Coeur d'Alene library last week had cancelled all public programs and suspended all meeting reservations through at least March. Lake City Public Library, the branch in the high school on Ramsey Road, has also been closed along with all other local schools.
Library patrons are also encouraged to make use of the online resources available through the EXPLORE link at the website. Ebooks are available through OverDrive and Libby. Through the Freegal service up to five songs a week can be downloaded to keep.

For the latest information on the coronavirus vist the Panhandle Health District website: http://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19/.