Monday March 16, 2020 ~ NANAIMO
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve and in light of the recommendations put forward today by the BC Chief Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) is closing all branches to the public as of 8 pm tonight Monday March 16.
That includes the branches in Sooke, Tofino and Port Renfrew on the west side of the island.
VIRL has also decided to cancel all remaining programs today, effective immediately.
“In coming to this difficult decision, we paid particular attention to the Province’s prohibition on gatherings of more than 50 people, and the strong appeal for everyone to stay home during this critical time,” says VIRL’s Executive Director, Rosemary Bonanno. “In this rapidly changing environment, we believe this is the best decision for our staff, customers, and larger public,” she said.
As a result of the closures, VIRL has extended all due dates by six weeks and asks customers not to return any library materials until branches have reopened to the public.
Throughout the closure, VIRL’s eLibrary — which includes thousands of ebooks and audiobooks, scores of downloadable music, and hours of streaming movies of TV — will remain open for anyone with a VIRL library card.
VIRL has 39 branches on Vancouver Island (outside of the Greater Victoria area), plus Books By Mail and Creativity Commons.