In these challenging times, all of us are adapting and innovating to stay safe while continuing to serve our values and purpose. For the Durango Public Library staff, this goal extends to a county of approximately 56,000 people. They have risen to the challenge.
In Colorado, libraries are critical services and our local numbers corroborate this. Cardholders are up 18%, and e-book and e-audiobook use is up 37% – because we need entertainment, education and mental and emotional transport from the daily grind. Since mid-March, Durango Public Library staff members have been reconfiguring services.
All materials are quarantined for at least two days upon return. You can obtain an instant digital library card via the library website, or over the phone. Curbside service is available five days a week and Wi-Fi is accessible outside from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Based on your literary tastes, staff members will select and put on hold up to 10 books for you. Younger patrons can tune into virtual storytime and be reassured that board books, which often end up in small mouths, are cleaned with safe and gentle soap. Weekly activity kits are available for children ages preschool through teen. And, because now is the time for generosity and forgiveness, library fines are obsolete.
Thank you to Sandy Irwin and all library staff members for all you do.
The Durango Library Advisory Board: Bill LeMaire, Rachel Turiel, Karen Pontius and Jean Walter Durango
