<div dir="ltr"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-96aa92c4-7fff-92fd-a0bd-4e999da61433"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(28,30,33);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">March 18, 2020</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(28,30,33);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(28,30,33);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">OLA  commends the libraries and local officials who have already made the very difficult decision to close their doors to the public. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(28,30,33);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This action we are requesting is in keeping with </span><a href="http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/03/ala-executive-board-recommends-closing-libraries-public" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">the American Library Association’s recommendation to close libraries</span></a><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(28,30,33);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> and Oregon Governor Brown’s Executive Orders to limit gatherings and close schools. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(28,30,33);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(28,30,33);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">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.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:10pt 0pt"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(28,30,33);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sincerely, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Elaine Hirsch</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Oregon Library Association President, 2019-2020</span></p></span><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div>Elaine Hirsch</div><div dir="ltr">Oregon Library Association President, 2019-2020<br><div><a href="mailto:olapresident@olaweb.org" target="_blank">olapresident@olaweb.org</a><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>