Limited library services to begin soon in Grant, Ferry and Okanogan Counties

 North Central Regional Library is getting ready to start curbside pickup and reopen its book return boxes at libraries in Grant, Okanogan and Ferry counties.

Starting Aug. 10, libraries in the three counties — which are all in Phase 2 or 3 of the state’s reopening plan — will begin accepting returns of books and other materials. As a safety precaution for staff, all returned materials will be quarantined for 72 hours before being checked in. No donations are being accepted at this time.

In addition, NCRL branches throughout Ferry, Okanogan, and Grant counties will begin curbside pickup services on Aug. 13th.  Library card holders will be able to place holds on material available at their local branch and then stop by between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. any day the branch is open to pick up the materials. Visit www.ncrl.org/locations to see what days libraries are normally open.

Masks will be required for all patrons utilizing curbside pickup.

Due to rising COVID-19 infection rates, NCRL is unable at this time to resume any services at its libraries in Chelan and Douglas counties, which are still in Phase 1.5 of the governor’s reopening plan. The Mail Order Library, which is headquartered in Wenatchee, also remains closed.

NCRL is continuing to work closely with the Chelan-Douglas Health District to restart some library services in those two counties as soon as possible.

All NCRL library buildings remain closed to the public in all counties, which means there is no public access, no meeting rooms, no restrooms, and no computer use. Additional services will be restarted after all five counties in the library district reach Phase 3 and the governor has issued guidance to libraries on next steps for reopening.

Free Wi-Fi continues to be available at all library locations 7 days a week.  A recent project extended Wi-Fi coverage up to a 600 ft radius around all NCRL buildings.

For up-to-date information on library services, please visit www.ncrl.org or follow North Central Regional Library on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.