Mayor Jenny A. Durkan has announced additional steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Researchers are estimating that there are 1,100 active COVID-19 infections in our region. By early April, the region may see 25,000 people infected if no actions are taken. To prevent the further spread of COVID-19, The Seattle Public Library will close all Library locations. Except for preschool programs and hygiene services, Seattle Parks and Recreation will cancel all programming, rentals, and permitted events, and close all community centers, pools, environmental learning centers, and all other recreation facilities to the public.
This announcement follows the State and County’s new measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including a prohibition of events with more than 250 people, and a prohibition on events with less than 250 people, if they don’t meet public health guidance on social distancing and hygiene. All closures will take effect at 6 p.m. tomorrow, March 13, and will last until at least April 13. The City will be in continued contact with public health officials to evaluate our facilities beyond this timeline.
“We did not take this decision lightly. We know that our libraries and community centers serve as important neighborhood hubs and provide essential services to our residents. But we also know that given the high-volume of people who pass through our facilities each day, it would be extremely difficult to implement the mandatory public health guidance as it relates to social distancing,” said Mayor Durkan. “In the coming days and weeks, I expect that we will need to continue making difficult decisions like this one. We’re doing everything we can to continue City operations as possible, but ultimately, we must take necessary mitigation measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, especially to those individuals most at risk. If we fail to act, the consequences could be devastating.”
“Consistent with recommendations made by public health officials, the City’s decision to close community centers and libraries is based on both best available science and the need for unified action to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5, North Seattle). “I am committed to working with Mayor Durkan, Chief Librarian Turner and Superintendent Aguirre to protect the public from the coronavirus especially our elders and most vulnerable residents. Remaining unified as a community also means remaining calm, helping our fellow neighbors, and coming out stronger, more connected, and more resilient when this chapter is behind us.”
Many vulnerable populations, including people living unsheltered, rely on community centers and libraries to provide critical hygiene services. That’s why Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will continue the shower program for those in need at Delridge, Green Lake, Meadowbrook, Miller and Rainier community centers, and all SPR bathrooms and handwashing stations will remain open.
Understanding our preschool programs are critical for families in Seattle, the City will allow preschool programs in community centers to operate with the latest public heath guidance, and the department will evaluate the feasibility of continuing to keep these programs open. Affordable and accessible childcare and preschool is critical for so many residents, especially as Seattle Public Schools close, which is why SPR is also looking to create alternate programs for before and after school care. All facilities that remain open will continue to be cleaned in accordance with public health guidance.
“We support our Governor, County health agency, and Mayor in working to ensure the health of those most vulnerable in our community,” said Superintendent Jesús Aguirre. “We recognize the impact that this closure will have on our residents and visitors, but it is critical that we support the health and safety of our communities.”
The Seattle Public Library (SPL) will continue to provide many digital services, such as e-books and e-audiobooks; streaming movies, TV and music services; free access to magazines and newspapers; and more. SPL’s ‘Ask Us’ reference question platform, which can be accessed online and or by phone, may experience some downtime as the Library works to enable staff to do this work from home. The Library is also extending loan periods during this time, and patrons do not need to return materials until SPL is back in full operation. SPL is also a fine-free library, so no patrons will incur late fines during this time.
“We are in the midst of unprecedented times and challenges and, while it is difficult to make the decision to close our libraries to respond to COVID-19, I know it is the right one for the health and safety of our public, staff and volunteers,” said Chief Librarian Marcellus Turner. “We encourage all cardholders to explore our rich collection of digital resources during this period of limited social contact and limited recreational options. We provide free access to music, movies, TV, newspapers, magazines and more. We will be looking at other creative ways to serve our community during this time, and we look forward to welcoming our patrons back into our buildings as soon as we can.”
The City of Seattle is working to combat the spread of COVID-19 in our region. For up-to-date Public Health – Seattle & King County guidance, visit kingcounty.gov/covid.
Executive Director and Chief Librarian Marcellus Turner of the Seattle Public Library released this statement
Dear patrons,
We are at an unprecedented moment in our city, state, and country. First, I want to express my gratitude for your continued support and patience as we continue to evaluate and adjust our operations because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
As health officials and scientists have noted, we likely had 1,100 active COVID-19 infections as of March 10 in our region. If we do not act, there could be more than 25,000 cases by early April. As you likely heard, yesterday, the State and County issued additional measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including a prohibition of events with more than 250 people, and a prohibition on events with less than 250 people, if they don’t meet public health guidance on social distancing and hygiene. We have been working round-the-clock to assess what that guidance means for the Library. After much discussion, and in accordance with public health guidance, The Seattle Public Library has been called upon to support the City, County, and State’s efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. We all must do our part to keep our city and region healthy and combat the further spread of COVID-19.
Effective at 6 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, March 13, The Seattle Public Library will close all Library locations, and these closures will remain in effect until at least April 13. We will be in continued contact with public health officials to evaluate our facilities beyond this timeline. This decision was made in partnership with Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and the Library Board of Trustees, and please know we did not take the decision lightly.
It is clear that now is the time for strong and decisive action in order to protect the public we serve every day, as well as our staff and volunteers, who have been going above and beyond to continue providing service over the last several days as this public health crisis has taken hold.
Decisions like these do not come easy, as it means a temporary loss of access to the in-person learning services and gathering spaces the Library is known for providing to so many in our community. However, this does not mean a complete shutdown of Library services. We will continue to provide the many digital services you have come to love, such as e-books and e-audiobooks ; streaming movies, TVand music services; free access to magazines and newspapers ; and more. Our Ask Us reference question platform, which can be accessed online and or by phone, may experience some downtime as we work to enable our staff to do this work from home.
For those of you who have borrowed Library materials in your possession, do not fear the due date – we are extending loan periods during this time, so you do not need to return materials until we are back in full operation. And remember, we are a fine-free library, thanks to your support of the Library Levy.
For those of you who interact with our wonderful staff, please note that we are looking at ways of utilizing their talents during this time, and the Library is evaluating all operations to ensure staff are appropriately compensated.
We will continue to communicate with you as our response to this outbreak evolves. We look forward to welcoming you back into our buildings when this virus runs its course and our communities begin to reconvene and rebuild a sense of normalcy. Until then, visit us at here at spl.org to take advantage of our great digital resources.
Marcellus Turner, Executive Director and Chief Librarian
