Mercer Library news - social distancing edition
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As you know, the
CDC has recommended
that all large gatherings be postponed for at least the next 8 weeks in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. This recommendation is to help slow the spread of infection in communities already infected by the virus and to reduce the introduction of the virus into communities, like Iron County, that have not seen any cases of COVID-19 yet.
Because many of our Iron County community members are in the vulnerable population for this virus, I have made the decision to
cancel all library programs beginning immediately and through at least April 13
. Affected events include:
- Candidate Meet & Greet originally scheduled for tonight, March 16
- "Ditch the Dish" streaming media program on 3/24
- Grown-up Story Hour on 3/26
- Art & Craft Swap on 3/27
- Discovery Center "Knowledge at Noon" bog program on 4/1
- Book Clubs on 4/7
- Tuesday morning Bible study at the library
The Mercer Library remains open for now.
However, many libraries in Wisconsin are closing to help protect their staff and patrons, and it is possible that the Mercer Library will do so at some point. Please visit our website at
www.mercerpubliclibrary.org
for the latest updates.
On a personal note, I implore you to follow the advice of medical professionals and isolate yourself as much as possible, particularly if you are in a
high-risk category
. Iron County is the "oldest" county in Wisconsin, which means a large percentage of our population is susceptible for very serious complications with this virus.
Please do what you can to protect all of our community members. Stay home whenever you can,
wash
your
hands
, don't touch your face, avoid close contact with other people, clean and disinfect surfaces daily, and absolutely stay home if you are sick, even if you think it's just a cold.
Take care, and wash your hands!
Teresa Schmidt
Library director
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Stuck at home?
The library has a number of resources you can access online while you self-isolate. You can access our digital services from anywhere you have internet access, in Wisconsin and outside it. Check out these resources:
- Wisconsin's Digital Library has ebooks and audiobooks for download. (Get the "Libby" app to use them on your smartphone or tablet, too. iOS | Android)
- Gale Courses offers hundreds of free, 6-week classes on just about anything you could want to learn! There are continuing ed classes for teachers and medical professionals, guitar lessons and music theory, computer applications, business management, test prep, and so much more. The next series of classes starts March 18.
- Badgerlink offers content databases for consumers, genealogists, student researchers, teachers, and everyone else.
You may need your library card number to access these resources from home. Don't know your number? Call the library at 715-476-2366 and we'll be able to help.
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Want books & movies, but don't want to come in?
If you would like to check out materials from the library but don't want to come into the building, we can help.
Use our online catalog
to request the items you want, or give us a call and tell us what you're looking for. We'll get things ready for you, and then you can give us a call from the parking lot and we'll run your items out to your car. 715-476-2366
Please note
:
current research
indicates that the coronavirus may be able to live on surfaces for up to 72 hours, and we cannot guarantee that any library materials are clean. Please use your best judgement when using library materials, particularly if you are in a high-risk category.
If you have been sick with any illness, including a cold or flu, please DO NOT RETURN your library materials.
We'll get them back when all this has blown over, and remember -- our library is completely fine-free so we won't charge you late fees.
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Winter hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am - 5pm; Tuesday, Thursday 9am-6pm; Saturday 9am-noon
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