Darien Library is canceling all programs effective immediately as part of efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, Library Director Alan Kirk Gray announced in a 12:04 p.m. email.
The library’s Novel Tea fundraiser, a major way the library raises money, is included in the canceled events, Gray wrote.
The library remains open to visitors (unless they’re displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19).
The library is suspending late fees and telling patrons about an already existing program for delivering books, videos, magazines and audiobooks to home-bound residents, Also, the library will sponsor a discussion Friday on video between Darien Health Director David Knauf and a Stamford Hospital official about the COVID-19 outbreak.
“All Darien residents who are permanently or temporarily unable to visit the Library in-person are encouraged to sign up for our home-bound delivery service,” library Publicity Manager Amanda Goodman said in an email to Darienite.com.
Here’s the full text of Gray’s announcement, which is also on the library website:
Photo from Darien Library website
Darien Library Director Alan Kirk Gray.
Yesterday, Governor Lamont called for large events to be cancelled to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Connecticut. After consulting with First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, the Darien Health Department, and our Board, we have decided to cancel all programs effective immediately.
This includes postponing the Novel Tea fundraiser. We will share updates for those attendees in the near future.
Discussion on the Outbreak
The events section on the library’s website has “canceled” written all over it. One event, the discussion about coronavirus on Friday, is definitely not canceled, but don’t go — it will be livestreamed on the internet.
On Friday, we will film a discussion of the coronavirus outbreak between Dr. Asha K. Shah, the associate director of infectious diseases at Stamford Health [Stamford Hospital], and David Knauf, the Darien director of health. We will post the video on our website at darienlibrary.org/coronavirus.
If you would like to receive a reminder on Friday with a link to the recording, sign up here.
You may submit your questions using this form.
Late Fines Suspended
Starting today and continuing until further notice, all late fines will be suspended.
Home-Bound Delivery
Staff will deliver books, movies, magazines, and audiobooks for home-bound Darien residents who cannot visit the Library in person. Volunteers will deliver borrowed items to your home and will also return them to the Library.
To request a delivery, call Pat at 203-669-5248.
Best,
Alan Kirk Gray
Darien Library Director
____________
Correction: The homebound delivery program is not being started now, as the original version of this article stated. It already exists. The mention of it in the library announcement was only to remind residents that it exists.
____________
Previous COVID-19 Statements Issued by Darien Officials
- Schools on Two-Hour Delay Wednesday As Staff Prepares Remote Learning for Possible School Closures (March 10)
- Library Patrons With Coronavirus Symptoms — Fever, Coughing, Short Breath — To Be Asked to Leave (March 9)
- Darien School District Superintendent, Nurse Announce COVID-19 Policies for Keeping Students and Staff Safe (March 6)
- Protecting Against Coronavirus: Darien Library, YMCA Each Issue Statements on What They’re Doing (March 4)
- School District Letter to Families: Here’s What We’re Doing to Protect Students From the COVID-19 Virus (March 2)
- How to Guard Against Covid-19 Coronavirus: Here’s What Darien Health Director Advises for Town Employees (Feb. 27)
- Darien Health Department: What We Know Now About the Coronavirus (Jan. 27)