The Shadow
The Alleghany Highland Regional Library has suspended all of its library-sponsored programs and meetings for the next two weeks, effective Monday, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re working closely with local officials to monitor the situation, and we thought it was best to be proactive in our response,” said AHRL Director Lisa Hicks.
With school closures, the library will also make its WiFi available 24 hours a day, and it is accessible from the parking lot.
“We wanted to work with our local school systems to be sure that any student who needed to access their digital classrooms could do so,” said Hicks.
“We always say the library is more than just books, and we’re here to support our students.”
The Alleghany Highlands Regional Library is implementing its Continuity of Operations Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes preventive measures such as rigorous cleaning, rearrangement of furniture and seating to promote social distancing, removal of toys from the children’s area, and disinfecting returned materials.
The decision to suspend programs and meetings at the library will be re-evaluated on March 30, and Hicks warned the suspensions may extend farther than two weeks if the situation has not changed. She also cautioned that the library may temporarily close in response to the pandemic, though there are no immediate plans to do so.
Closure of the library would not affect the ability to use the library’s WiFi from the parking lot.
“We are keeping in touch with local officials and will keep the public updated on any changes and possible closures,” said Hicks. “The Alleghany Highlands Regional Library is an important part of the community, and we want to be here to support everyone as responsibly as we can during this uncertain time.”
