[Libs-Or] OLA statement to close public, academic, tribal, and special libraries

[Pierina Parise]

Thank you for this, Elaine.  I certainly agree, and I urge all libraries to
continue paying staff and their health insurance.  I am assuming that these
expenses have been allocated in budgets already for this fiscal year.

Perri Parise

On Wed, Mar 18, 2020 at 9:57 AM OLA President <olapresident at olaweb.org>
wrote:

> March 18, 2020
>
> As a leader and advocate for Oregon libraries, Oregon Library Association
> (OLA) is calling on all library administrators, governing boards, and local
> governments to close public, academic, tribal, and special libraries in
> Oregon for the foreseeable future.
>
> OLA  commends the libraries and local officials who have already made the
> very difficult decision to close their doors to the public.
>
> This action we are requesting is in keeping with the American Library
> Association’s recommendation to close libraries
> <http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/03/ala-executive-board-recommends-closing-libraries-public>
> and Oregon Governor Brown’s Executive Orders to limit gatherings and close
> schools.
>
> Given that school closures place undue pressure on libraries, any that
> remain open would contribute to potential spread of Coronavirus. Our
> library staff and patrons are at risk as long as our public institutions
> are open. The health and safety of library workers and the communities they
> serve are of the utmost importance.
>
> This is a challenging time for us, the nation, and the world as we respond
> to COVID-19 and the uncertainty surrounding it. We will do our best to stay
> on top of this quickly evolving and fluid situation and communicate with
> you regularly.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Elaine Hirsch
>
> Oregon Library Association President, 2019-2020
>
>
> --
> Elaine Hirsch
> Oregon Library Association President, 2019-2020
> olapresident at olaweb.org
>
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