We wanted to touch base with all of you because we wanted to let you know that we are still here and kickin’! While the Vicksburg District Library is closed, our administration is doing all it can to get assistance and resources to you in this time of pandemic crisis. As you may have guessed, most of these services (if not all) will be taking place online. Here are a few notes about the closure in general…
We know a few of you want to come in for something simple, like grabbing a book or DVD, or even just a couple of tax forms.
Why can’t we do something simple and quick like that?
Well, this has to do with the nature of COVID-19, AKA the Coronavirus. Sadly, it is a very sneaky virus and in addition to there being no vaccine or quick cure for it, it is very contagious. People who are infected with it may never know it because for some folks, they will never show a single symptom. For others, once they are infected, symptoms could show within a few days, then can quickly lead to hospitalization, even death. Those who are older and/or with compromised immune systems have been shown to be more susceptible to COVID-19, so for the safety of our patrons and staff, we cannot open for a quick little thing like that. We have to be vigilant with our closure.
Also, with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declaring everyone should “shelter in place” with Executive Order 2020-21, opening even for a simple matter such as that is illegal. More information on the closure and the Coronavirus pandemic can be found on our webpage Understanding Coronavirus. And if you are curious about updates on how this is affecting the Vicksburg District Library in general, you can also check out our webpage VDL Updates During the Coronavirus Closure.
Now let’s get on to some happier topics, shall we? Here is what we can offer at this time!
If you haven’t checked out OverDrive in the past, now is the time! OverDrive is our online collection of electronic books, audiobooks and video recordings. Simply download the OverDrive application to your tablet or online device, or go to www.overdrive.com. All you need is your Vicksburg District Library card to access all the content available to you!
Looking for tax forms? While we don’t have the free ones available right now, you can print yours from home at your leisure. Check out our 2019 Tax Forms page. The most commonly asked for forms are listed. If you don’t see the specific form you are looking for, just email us at info@vicksburglibrary.org and we will get back to you as soon as we are able to assist you.
Have a reference question, but the library is closed? That’s an easy fix. Simply send us your complete reference question with all the appropriate details to info@vicksburglibrary.org. Please keep in mind that this is not a real-time chat and it may take some time to find an answer. But we should respond within 24 hours. Also, we may not have access to our usual reference materials due to the closure, so we may not always be able to get a hold of the answer. But we will do our best to assist you with what we have. We also recommend checking out MeL (Michigan Electronic Library) resources to research your answer in the meantime.
Just bored out of your skull being stuck in quarantine? We are here to help! While you can currently check the menus on our website for different features and resources to pass the time, Librarians Adrianne and Stephanie are currently working on something extra special. In the next few days, we will be launching webpages for both kids and adults called I’m Stuck Inside, Now What? These pages will be dedicated to fun activities to help keep you busy and your mind off of the current mayhem going on outside. Some features will include virtual story times, online games, virtual tours of some exciting places around the globe, and places to find fun at crafting ideas and projects. We will let you know as soon as these pages are up and available.
Finally, we just want to clean house with a few details about things that are going on with the Vicksburg District Library in general…
Due Dates & Drop Boxes
At this time of crisis and closure, we are foregoing any due dates of items that are checked out. Once we have a scheduled date to reopen, we will post a new due date for all checked out items. Keep in mind that the due date will not be the day we reopen to add ease of access for our patrons. Please hold on to all checked our items until we reopen as our drop boxes are locked and closed at this time. This will help curb the spread of possible contamination, as well as save any items from possible damage during the closure. Please do not attempt to peel back signs or unlock drop boxes to drop off your items as this may cause damage to library property and/or cause contamination issues.
Online Accounts, Renewals & Fees
As we are asking patrons to hold items until we reopen, your online patron account will show pending late/lost item fees and that items need to be renewed. There is no need to worry about this during this closure. Upon reopening the library, when items have been returned and checked in, any late fees accrued during this closure will be waived by the library. This also applies to all MeLCat/InterLibrary Loan items.
MeLCat & InterLibrary Loan
As all libraries in the state of Michigan are closed, MeLCat and InterLibrary Loan services have been suspended. All orders are still in place and service will resume when libraries are allowed to reopen once more.
Book & Item Donations
Given the nature of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its inability to be cleaned/removed/killed on the surfaces of books easily, we will be suspending our book donation service until sometime in the future, possibly late spring/early summer.
We hope you all stay safe and healthy at this hectic time and we look forward to seeing your smiling faces when we are allowed to reopen once more. Until then, be well friends!