News Photo by Julie Riddle The Alpena County Library is seen in this June 2020 News file photo.

Alpena County Library Director Eric Magness-Eubank issued the following statement:

“Earlier today I approved a legal advertisement to open the bidding process for renovating the Library. This is very exciting and we are thrilled that these long-awaited improvements can now start. Under the current timetable, the library board is slated toaward the contract on July 15 with renovation starting on or about Aug. 1.

“Between now and then we will have to move and/or store much of the library collection and have the remaining asbestos abatement performed. This means the library building will be closed to the public for much of the month of July and into August. The progress of the building project creates a problem of how to handle reopening from the COVID-19 related State of Emergency closure.

“Reopening needs to be done in a way that protects the safety of the community and library staff. We are concerned that the building project timeline will mean it will be a long time before our full range of activity will be restored. The library board believes it makes very little sense to assume the risk and liability of opening to the public for a very short period of time with very limited service before we would need to close back down again for renovations.

“Therefore, we are working on other ways to improve the availability of services in this challenging time. One of our most important responsibilities is to do everything we can to keep children reading during the summer. With public assemblies still banned and social distancing requirements in place, we have had to cancel many parts of our Summer Book Club, including the carnival. We are launching a program that has both virtual and physical components so that all children may take part. Participants will receive weekly kits to encourage reading and facilitate early and continuing literacy at home, as well as take part in social-distanced community projects, Story Walks, and virtual programming. Sign-ups for the 7-week program will begin on June 14.

“We are also working on ways to allow access to physical books even with the library building closed. Eventually, we will be offering some form of contactless pickup and/or delivery service.We are working on ways to improve our public Wi-Fi access outside the building for those who lack good service at home.

“On June 15, pending approval from the Library Board of Trustees, we will reopen the dropbox for items to be returned to us. We have some 6,000 items which need to be returned; these items will have to be quarantined before they can be reused. We are granting amnesty for all overdue fees on all items that are currently checked out. We do not want all 6,000 items back at once or for people to make unnecessary trips. This will allow for the safe handling of returned items and keep the risk of exposure for both patrons and staff very low. These are very exciting and challenging times. It is safe to say that not much has gone the way we thought it would this year.

“Please feel free to contact me at emeacl@alpenalibrary.org or 356-6188, ext. 11 if you would like to share any questions or concerns you may have. Stay safe out there.”