Effective Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) buildings will be closed to the public. WCLS staff made the decision to close library buildings after consulting with Whatcom County Health Department officials, who encouraged the change in response to increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Whatcom County and to further reduce the spread of transmission. Libraries will continue to offer curbside pickup and online resources, including WiFi from library parking lots.
In accordance with Washington State’s Safe Start Plan, WCLS library buildings closed March 16, 2020, and then re-opened Nov. 2 with modified services, limited hours, and entry requirements for in-person visits. Throughout the building closures, library services continued online and via curbside pickup. When branches reopened Nov. 2, WCLS stated that operations may change based on county health trends and guidance.
The change in service applies to WCLS’s 10 county locations in Blaine, Deming, Everson, Ferndale, Kendall (North Fork), Lummi Island, Lynden, Point Roberts, Sudden Valley (South Whatcom), and Sumas. Book drops will remain open. Patrons may also pick up library materials they reserve online at the unstaffed Library Express locations on Northwest Drive and at the Point Roberts Library. Bellingham Public Library, a separate library system serving residents within the city limits of Bellingham, operates a Monday-Saturday curbside pick-up program and 24/7 returns at the downtown Central Library, which remains closed due to remodeling construction.
WCLS will continue to offer an alternative, no-contact services such as curbside pickup of library materials, curated “to-go” bags of books, DVDs, board games and magazines, and digital content at wcls.org/digital-content.
For complete information and branch contact information, visit wcls.org/info. Updates will also be shared via social media.