(Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

Libraries Closing

Wapiti Regional Library closing all branches, waiving late fines amid COVID-19

Mar 19, 2020 | 10:00 AM

Northeast residents will have a few hours to load up on reading material during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wapiti Regional Library announced all 45 of its branches will be closed on Friday, March 20 and remain closed until further notice.

Tony Murphy, regional director and CEO for Wapiti Regional Library, said the closure is part of their effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19 in the province as best they can.

“We’re following the lead of the province,” Murphy told northeastNOW. “In closing schools on Friday, we decided that we should close down our libraries as well… some of which are actually co-located in schools. It’s a natural step that’s going to happen at those locations anyway.”

Some communities, such as Humboldt and Melfort, had already closed their respective libraries as part of their facility closures.

Significant snow

Winter Storm Warning issued for northeast as heavy snow, strong wind expected

8m ago

Russia-Ukraine War

In a first, President Biden gives green light for Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles in Russia

22h ago

Riderville

Shades of 2007

Nov 15, 2024

During Wapiti Regional Library’s branch closures, Murphy said their regional office will stay open if it’s feasible.

Good news for readers is Wapiti Regional Library will be waiving late fines from March 13 to April 14, and Murphy said they encourage patrons to keep their materials from March 20 until the branches re-open.

Unfortunately, holds (requesting materials from other library systems) will be suspended as part of the precautions.

Online services such as e-books, e-audiobooks, digital magazines and newspapers, and audio and video streaming services will remain available for patrons on Wapiti Regional Library’s website.

Murphy said they’re monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan and will reassess their process on April 14.

–

aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow