*** An important update from the City Manager on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) ***
The public health situation is rapidly changing, here are the latest updates affecting City facilities
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COVID-19 Updates



5/4/2020
The outdoor book drop is open for materials to be returned. No overdue charges will be applied until further notice.


3/20/2020
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID19 to protect the health of our community and our library employees, the library will close to the public at 6 PM, Saturday March 21. Please check the library’s website and Facebook page for updates as we adjust to this evolving situation.

All due dates have been extended for nine weeks. Additionally, library card privileges will not expire during this time so that all patrons can more easily access our online resources. Saturday, March 21, will be the last day library patrons will be able to pick up materials they have put on hold.

Oak Ridge Public Library works every day to meet the needs of our community, and closing our doors to the public goes against our mission to provide resources and support. However, as a source of reliable information, we feel the best thing we can do to support our community at this time is to take the advice of our public health officials seriously and contribute to all efforts of social distancing.

Our library staff is currently looking for ways we can continue to provide access to information and resources without endangering anyone’s health. Please check the library’s website and Facebook page for updates as we create these services. As always, our online collection of e-books, audiobooks, streaming video, and learning resources will remain available through our website and our online catalog.


3/18/2020

Continuing Information on COVID-19 at Oak Ridge Public Library
• The library is currently open regular hours, until further notice.
 • All due dates have been extended for 9 weeks and all overdue fines are currently being waived in order to encourage patrons to keep their materials.
 • The Children’s Room is closed, but children’s materials are available for check out. Patrons can ask at the front desk or place items on hold through our online catalog: Orpl.org>catalog
 • All programs and events have been cancelled except for Census 2020 training and recruitment.
 • Our Habitat Dogs will not be visiting the library right now. We are looking forward to their return when the current threat has passed.
 • We have temporarily removed our soft furniture and replaced it with furniture more easily sanitized.
 • Interlibrary loan services will be suspended as of March 19 and until further notice.
 • We are limiting the amount of chairs and computers available in an effort to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus.
 • Library volunteers should not report to the library until further notice.
 • The library will not accept donations until further notice.

However, for those people currently looking for jobs or needing to apply for assistance, please know that your library is here to help. Our Wi-Fi is still up and our computers are still available.  

3/15/2020

Oak Ridge Public Library cares about the health and safety of our patrons. We want everyone to stay healthy and well-informed. The library has regretfully decided to cancel our upcoming programming, including Story Times, Teen Room, World Wise Wednesdays, and Water Wise Wednesday beginning March 16 and until further notice. Additionally, we have made the difficult decision to close the Children’s Room and limit access to other areas of the library in an effort to help stop the spread of both the new coronavirus and the flu. However, the main library will remain open until further notice. The library staff has increased our sanitization efforts, cleaning all common surfaces multiple times throughout the day and limiting access to some in order to stop cross contamination.

During this period of containment, all due dates will be extended and overdue fines will be forgiven. Although the Children’s Room will be closed, materials will still be available to check out. Patrons can either ask at the circulation desk or place items on hold from home using our online catalog. Patrons will be notified when their holds are available. Additionally, the library’s collection of ebooks and audiobooks remain available, as do our online learning resources such as Lynda.com, Consumer Reports, and the Tennessee Electronic Library. All electronic library resources can be accessed by going to orpl.org>catalog.

 In the meantime, the library encourages everyone to use best practices both in personal hygiene and in the information you choose to use. Remember, evaluate your sources and don’t believe everything on the internet!
 
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