Public libraries in Baker County will remain closed until further notice in coordination with Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order 20-14 extending the “Stay Home, Save Lives” restrictions.

Dear Baker County community,

We have extended our library closure until further notice since projections show we have about 6-8 weeks to go before starting to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic woods. 

FAQ ANSWERS

• Due dates on items currently checked out have been extended until June 1, but may be returned early through a Baker County library book drop. We will be waiving all late fees accrued from March 1 through June 1.
• Returned items are decontaminated with ultraviolet germicidal light treatment (UVC) plus a 7 day quarantine period.
•  Physical checkouts are also suspended until further notice, so Drive-Up / Take-Out service is still "paused". (Sorry, we need to be able to provide PPE for staff for that option but supplies are not yet readily available.) 
• Digital checkouts are available of eBooks or audiobooks through the Library2Go online service, which can be found on the library website. We are also restocking Little Free Libraries in Baker City with surplus donations and "retired" library books. See map HERE.
• Library staff are available by phone to assist with Library2Go access or other questions, Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm.
• While we are adding new physical items to the collection during the closure, we cannot place holds on them in the catalog until checkouts are resumed. So, meanwhile, please use the Purchase Request form HERE.

The April meeting of the Baker County Library Board will be held remotely as a web conference hosted through GoToMeeting at 6:00 pm Monday, April 13. The agenda will include

• discussion of the Pandemic Response activities,
• renewal of the district’s health insurance plan, and
• a preview of the FY2020-2021 budget proposal.

Members of the public are welcome to join the meeting by phone (+1 (312) 757-3121, Access Code: 222-438-445), or by computer. The link for computer access will be posted on the library website by noon on Monday, or can be requested directly by emailing the library.

Many thanks to everyone for your patience and cooperative efforts to protect one another. Baker County Library will continue to monitor the guidance of public health authorities and provide support to those efforts in every way possible. Please keep checking back for updates. 

We are looking forward to the time when public health officials advise that it’s safe for the public and library staff to resume our work.

Perry Stokes | Library Director
Baker County Library District